a specific strain of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a specific strain of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a particular type or variant of something, often in scientific or medical contexts. Example: "Researchers are studying a specific strain of bacteria that has shown resistance to antibiotics."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

D. H. Lawrence diagnosed a specific strain of American dread.

The New Yorker

The comfort level between Jews and Indians has allowed for a specific strain of self-mockery, too, which might be some psychic balm in this time of atrocity.

The New York Times

Events such as this seem to attract a specific strain of humanity: that which is happiest in a uniform, a name badge and making life as difficult as possible for those they are paid to serve.

The Guardian - Opinion

By personalizing the conflict, Trump has helped to feed a specific strain of North Korean paranoia about efforts to depose — or, in national-security parlance, "decapitate" — the nation's leadership.

The New Yorker

By personalizing the conflict, Trump has helped to feed a specific strain of North Korean paranoia about efforts to depose or, in national-security parlance, "decapitate"—the nation's leadership.

The New Yorker

Why it matters: Most flu vaccines are effective against only a specific strain of flu; they must be reformulated every year, because they target a part of the virus that constantly mutates to produce new seasonal strains.

MIT Technology Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

For Joe, it is important to think of it in terms of a UK specific strain of techno, "In purely social terms, a lot of our friends are in a similar positions.

Vice

She also embraced her gut feeling that the project should not only center on songs of romantic longing and heartache, but a very specific strain of what might be called second-generation melancholy.

Los Angeles Times

Sverdlovsk sample 7.RA93.15.15 contained these dominant allele signals, which suggests that these signals represent a single, specific strain of this pathogen.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

However, the method used to transform λDE3 cells and, to a lesser extent, the specific strain of λDE3 cells was critical for expression in E. coli.

BMC Biotechnology

It endows a specific strain-hardening rule of flow stress and is able to describe the phenomena of strain hardening, cyclic hardening, the Bauschinger effect, mean-stress relaxation, strain ratcheting, out-of-phase hardening, as well as erasure-of-memory.

International Journal of Solids and Structures

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a specific strain of", ensure that the context clearly defines the category to which the strain belongs. For instance, specify "a specific strain of influenza" rather than just "a specific strain" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a specific strain of" when a more general term like "type" or "kind" would suffice and provide clearer communication. Overusing "strain" can make your writing sound unnecessarily technical or jargon-heavy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a specific strain of" functions as a determiner followed by a noun phrase, modifying another noun to indicate a particular subtype or variant. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a specific strain of" is a useful phrase to precisely identify a subtype or variant within a larger category. Predominantly used in scientific and news contexts, as validated by Ludwig's examples, the phrase serves to narrow scope and provide detail. While grammatically sound and frequently employed, users should ensure its usage aligns with the formality of the writing context, opting for simpler alternatives like "a particular type of" in more casual settings. Ludwig AI indicates that while the phrase is valid and accurate in written English, mindful application ensures effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a particular type of

Replaces "strain" with "type", focusing on the category rather than the genetic or variant aspect.

a distinct variant of

Emphasizes the uniqueness of the variant, using "distinct" instead of "specific".

a certain kind of

Uses less technical terms to convey the idea of a particular type.

a specialized form of

Highlights the specialized nature of the strain, suitable for contexts where functionality is key.

a unique breed of

Implies a selectively developed or evolved type, often used in biological contexts.

a precise class of

Indicates a strict categorization, emphasizing accuracy and detail.

a defined subtype of

Specifically refers to a subtype within a larger group, common in scientific classifications.

a designated variety of

Highlights that a variety is nominated or labeled with an official designation.

a selective line of

Emphasizes the selectiveness and unique genealogy of the line being referenced.

a tailored version of

Implies that the version has been specifically modified for a particular purpose.

FAQs

How do I use "a specific strain of" in a sentence?

Use "a specific strain of" to refer to a particular type or variant within a larger category. For example, "The researchers are studying "a specific strain of bacteria" resistant to antibiotics".

What can I say instead of "a specific strain of"?

You can use alternatives like "a particular type of", "a distinct variant of", or "a certain kind of" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "a specific strain of" instead of "a type of"?

"A specific strain of" is best used in scientific or technical contexts where the precise genetic or biological variant is important. "A type of" is more general and suitable for broader discussions.

What is the difference between "a specific strain of" and "a specific species of"?

A "strain" refers to a genetic variant within a species, while "a specific species of" refers to a particular kind of organism that cannot interbreed with others. Strains are more closely related than species.