a distinctive subject

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a distinctive subject" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a topic or theme that stands out due to its unique characteristics or qualities. Example: "In her essay, she chose a distinctive subject that captivated the reader's attention and sparked meaningful discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Each science has a distinctive subject genus, first principles, and set of predicates that are commensurable with the subject genus (McKirahan 1978 , 1992 ch. 4 5).

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The Japanese version owes a lot to American prototypes from the late 1970's onward, but it adds a distinctive content based on local subjects and anime-based graphics.

The New York Times - Arts

A science of society, in short, was no mere appendage of biology but was instead a distinct discipline, or set of disciplines, with its own distinctive subject matter.

Encyclopedia Britannica

However, both have been criticised by Ofsted and subsequently revised their KS3 curriculum to provide greater coverage of the national curriculum and enhance the distinctive subject offer.

The Guardian - Opinion

Of the three it was Diane Arbus who was most single-minded in pursuit of highly distinctive subject matter: freaks, deviant loners, swingers, transvestites and, later, residents of mental institutions.

The Guardian - Arts

The various real theoretical sciences are distinguished by their subject matter, and Scotus devotes considerable attention to determining what the distinctive subject matter of metaphysics is.

SEP

Collingwood is the author of one of the most important treatises in meta-philosophy written in the first half of the twentieth century, An Essay on Philosophical Method (1933), which is a sustained attempt to explain why philosophy is an autonomous discipline with a distinctive method and subject matter that differ from those of the natural and the exact sciences.

SEP

His epistemological reform of metaphysics also ensures a distinctive role and subject matter for philosophical enquiry and is thus far from advocating a merely therapeutic conception of philosophy or the dissolution of philosophical into linguistic analysis in the manner of ordinary language philosophy.

SEP

In each of these cases, I am the subject of a mental state with a very distinctive subjective character.

SEP

Accordingly, he applied himself to finding a distinctive voice and subject-matter.

The Guardian - Books

As is typical of his late work, Vuillard here decompresses interior space, giving its rich and powerful subject a distinctive, commanding presence and making room for his expensive and well-pedigreed possessions, which Vuillard describes in sensuous detail.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, ensure that the qualities making the subject "distinctive" are explicitly stated or easily inferred within the context. This helps avoid ambiguity and allows the reader to fully grasp the subject's unique attributes.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "distinctive" without providing specific details about what makes the subject stand out. Vague adjectives without supporting information can weaken the impact and leave the audience questioning the subject's actual uniqueness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a distinctive subject" functions as a noun phrase, where "distinctive" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "subject". According to Ludwig AI, it's used to specify a particular topic or theme that stands out due to its unique characteristics. Examples in Ludwig show its usage across different sciences and arts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

41%

Encyclopedias

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a distinctive subject" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to emphasize the unique characteristics of a topic. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It's commonly found across diverse fields such as science, news media, and encyclopedias. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by providing specific details about the subject's unique attributes to avoid vagueness. Alternatives include "a unique topic" and "a particular focus".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a unique topic

Replaces "distinctive" with "unique", emphasizing the unparalleled nature of the subject.

a characteristic theme

Substitutes "subject" with "theme" and "distinctive" with "characteristic", highlighting the typical attributes of the topic.

a particular focus

Uses "focus" instead of "subject" and "particular" instead of "distinctive", emphasizing a specific area of attention.

a singular matter

Replaces "distinctive" with "singular", stressing the exceptional nature of the matter.

an individual subject

Emphasizes the separateness of the subject.

a special theme

Highlights that the theme is special.

a remarkable topic

Replaces "distinctive" with "remarkable", indicating something worthy of attention.

an atypical subject

Indicates the subject is not ordinary or typical.

a noteworthy matter

Substitutes "subject" with "matter" and "distinctive" with "noteworthy", pointing out something deserving recognition.

a prominent focus

Suggests the focus is very noticeable.

FAQs

How can I use "a distinctive subject" in a sentence?

You can use "a distinctive subject" to describe a topic that stands out due to its unique characteristics. For example: "Her research focused on "a distinctive subject" within the field of quantum physics".

What are some alternatives to "a distinctive subject"?

Alternatives include "a unique topic", "a characteristic theme", or "a particular focus", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "distinctive subject" or "unique subject"?

Both "distinctive subject" and "unique subject" are acceptable, but "distinctive" implies that the subject possesses clearly defined characteristics that set it apart, while "unique" emphasizes its unparalleled nature.

What makes a subject "distinctive"?

A subject is "distinctive" when it possesses qualities or characteristics that clearly differentiate it from other subjects in the same category. These qualities could be related to its content, approach, or impact.