a specific characteristic of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a specific characteristic of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a particular quality or feature that distinguishes something from others. Example: "One specific characteristic of this species is its ability to adapt to extreme temperatures."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

This may be a specific characteristic of centenarians that explains their striking maintenance of homeostatic mechanisms and their healthy ageing.

Nature

Configuration Packages are pre-made reusable configurations of a base method suitable for a specific characteristic of a development situation.

Information and Software Technology

Do you see this as a specific characteristic of doctors similar, for instance, to dismissing alternative medicine, or to scoffing at anything outside of traditional Western practices or is it just human nature?

The New Yorker

Each of the three wives of the household (polygamy was the norm at the time) appears to correspond to a specific characteristic of the play, as if they were symbols on an astrological chart.

The New York Times

Plantar displacement of the proximal phalanx, which was a specific characteristic of the boutonniere deformity, correlated significantly with the decreased dorsiflexion in the metatarsophalangeal joint.

The Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery

Do you see this as a specific characteristic of doctors — similar, for instance, to dismissing alternative medicine, or to scoffing at anything outside of traditional Western practices — or is it just human nature?

The New Yorker

Each explores a specific characteristic of organ recovery procedures.

Health Economics Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

De-escalation was not associated with a specific characteristic or the outcome of these high-risk patients.

Annals of Intensive Care

These trends underscore a very specific characteristic of the Russian Revolution: namely, opposition to both capitalism but also the earlier Czarist, pre-modern feudal order.

HuffPost

The current designs of trauma associate a symptomatology with specific characteristics of an event.

L'Évolution Psychiatrique

The enrichment for retention of alternative versus constitutive introns was well-correlated within each sample for all cancer types (Fig.  2c), suggesting that the propensity to retain introns is a patient-specific characteristic of the transcriptional environment.

Genome Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a specific characteristic of", ensure that the characteristic you're describing is indeed unique or particularly relevant to the subject. Avoid using it for general or widely shared attributes.

Common error

Avoid using "a specific characteristic of" when describing a trait that is common to many things. This weakens the impact and accuracy of your statement. Focus on truly distinguishing features.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a specific characteristic of" functions as a determiner phrase introducing a noun phrase that describes a particular attribute or quality. Ludwig AI suggests that it's usable in written English when singling out a quality that distinguishes something from others.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

67%

News & Media

18%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a specific characteristic of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to spotlight a unique or notable attribute, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions to emphasize a distinguishing aspect, with a usage that leans towards neutral to formal contexts. Predominantly found in scientific and news-related sources, it's a versatile phrase for highlighting particular qualities. When employing this phrase, remember to use it for traits that are truly distinguishing, avoiding overgeneralization to maintain the statement's impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a particular feature of

Replaces "specific characteristic" with "particular feature", emphasizing a distinct attribute.

a defining trait of

Substitutes "specific characteristic" with "defining trait", highlighting a key attribute that identifies something.

a unique attribute of

Replaces "specific characteristic" with "unique attribute", stressing the distinctiveness of the attribute.

a distinctive quality of

Substitutes "characteristic" with "quality", focusing on an inherent property that differentiates something.

a peculiar aspect of

Replaces "specific characteristic" with "peculiar aspect", emphasizing an unusual or odd feature.

a noteworthy element of

Substitutes "specific characteristic" with "noteworthy element", highlighting a significant part or detail.

a telltale sign of

Replaces "specific characteristic" with "telltale sign", suggesting that the characteristic serves as an indicator.

a signature mark of

Substitutes "specific characteristic" with "signature mark", emphasizing a distinctive and recognizable feature.

an inherent property of

Replaces "specific characteristic" with "inherent property", focusing on a quality that is intrinsic and essential.

a typical attribute of

Substitutes "specific characteristic" with "typical attribute", highlighting a characteristic that is commonly associated with something.

FAQs

How can I use "a specific characteristic of" in a sentence?

Use "a specific characteristic of" to highlight a unique or notable attribute. For example, "A specific characteristic of centenarians is their striking maintenance of homeostatic mechanisms."

What are some alternatives to "a specific characteristic of"?

You can use alternatives like "a particular feature of", "a defining trait of", or "a unique attribute of".

Is it redundant to say "specific characteristic"?

While "characteristic" implies a distinguishing feature, "specific characteristic" emphasizes a particular attribute. It's not always redundant, but consider if "characteristic" alone suffices for clarity.

What's the difference between "a specific characteristic of" and "a general characteristic of"?

"A specific characteristic of" points to a trait unique or particularly notable to a subject. In contrast, "a general characteristic of" refers to a common or widespread attribute.