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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
a selective set of
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "a selective set of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific group or collection that has been chosen based on particular criteria or preferences. Example: "The researchers analyzed a selective set of data to draw their conclusions about the experiment."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Wiki
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
15 human-written examples
The Human Rights Council of the U.N. concluded its fact-finding investigation of the war in Gaza and, not surprisingly, found a selective set of facts that would appeal to the cheap seats of the General Assembly.
News & Media
She stated that most studies carried out had followed a monodisciplinary approach and thereby provided only a limited view, as they considered only a selective set of factors influencing energy use.
In most cases, the Mediator complex functions as a bridge to connect and integrate specific transcription factors to the basal transcription machinery, resulting in expression changes of a selective set of genes.
Science
Our objective was to improve clinician acceptance of drug alerts by designing a selective set of drug alerts for the ambulatory care setting and minimizing workflow disruptions by designating only critical to high-severity alerts to be interruptive to clinician workflow.
Because no correlation is found between female extra-pair fertilization frequencies and the overall heterozygosity of their social mates, it is suggested that females may choose only a selective set of heterozygous genes, particularly the MHC locus, which can affect the immunocompetence of offspring.
Wiki
Most of the experimental evidence for the molecular mechanism of the p53 response has been based so far on a selective set of target genes.
Science
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
45 human-written examples
A highly selective set of primers (PsEG30F and PsEG790R), giving an amplicon of 760 nucleotides in length, was designed based on the internal conserved sequences of 33 selected rpoD gene sequences (the sigma 70 factor subunit of the DNA polymerase) of Pseudomonas type strains, representing the entire intrageneric phylogenetic clusters described in the genus.
Acknowledging this problem, BOLD has a more selective set of submission criteria [27] and has the advantage of using global alignments whereas BLAST uses local alignments.
Science
Others have noted that using village health workers for a more selective set of services may be more feasible and manageable when trying to achieve specific targets in disease control [ 31].
Science
FSHD is characterized by progressive, asymmetric atrophy and weakness of a highly selective set of muscle groups (Padberg et al., 1991; Lamperti et al., 2010; Tawil et al., 2010) and wide inter- and intra-familial variability of clinical expression (Padberg, 1982; Tawil and van der Maarel, 2006).
Science
Based on the subtle phenotypes and overall viability and fertility of uev-1 mutants, we reasoned that UEV-1 might have a smaller, more selective set of targets for K63-linked ubiquitination than would UBC-13, and that other proteins might function with UBC-13 to conduct most K63-linked ubiquitination events in nematodes.
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "a selective set of", ensure that the criteria for selection are clear or can be easily inferred from the context. This enhances the precision and impact of your writing.
Common error
Avoid using "a selective set of" when referring to nearly all items or elements within a broader category. Using the phrase in such contexts diminishes its meaning and suggests an unwarranted level of specificity.
Source & Trust
78%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "a selective set of" functions as a determiner phrase followed by a noun, modifying the noun to indicate that the set being referred to is not comprehensive but rather chosen based on specific criteria. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples across various domains.
Frequent in
Science
69%
News & Media
19%
Wiki
12%
Less common in
Formal & Business
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "a selective set of" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a group chosen according to specific criteria. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is particularly prevalent in scientific and academic writing. To use it effectively, ensure the selection criteria are evident and avoid overgeneralization. Consider using alternatives like "a curated collection of" or "a specific subset of" for nuanced meaning. Being mindful of these points will enhance the clarity and precision of your writing.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
a curated collection of
Replaces "selective" with "curated", emphasizing the careful selection and arrangement of items.
a handpicked selection of
Emphasizes the personal and careful choice involved in selecting the items.
a specific subset of
Replaces "selective set" with "specific subset", focusing on the part-whole relationship and specificity.
a choice assortment of
Uses "assortment" instead of "set", suggesting a variety of carefully chosen items.
a refined selection of
Replaces "selective" with "refined", highlighting the high quality and careful filtering of the items.
a distinguished group of
Shifts the focus to the quality and prestige of the selected items.
an exclusive range of
Emphasizes the limited availability and special nature of the selected items.
a particular array of
Uses "array" instead of "set", suggesting a structured arrangement of the selected items.
a restricted cluster of
Replaces "selective" with "restricted" emphasizing limitations and also the word "set" with "cluster".
a tailored group of
Highlights that the group or set has been customized for a specific purpose.
FAQs
How can I use "a selective set of" in a sentence?
You can use "a selective set of" to describe a group of items or elements that have been chosen based on specific criteria. For example, "The study focused on a selective set of genes that are known to be involved in cell growth."
What are some alternatives to "a selective set of"?
Alternatives include "a curated collection of", "a handpicked selection of", or "a specific subset of" depending on the context.
Is there a difference between "a selective set of" and "a random set of"?
"A selective set of" implies that the items have been chosen according to specific criteria, while "a random set of" indicates that the items were chosen without any particular pattern or reason. They are near antonyms.
When is it appropriate to use "a selective set of" in academic writing?
It is appropriate when you need to emphasize that the data, sources, or examples you are using have been specifically chosen for their relevance or significance to your argument. Avoid using it when the selection is arbitrary or not clearly defined.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
78%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested