an attribute of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an attribute of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a characteristic or quality that belongs to a person, object, or concept. Example: "Honesty is an attribute of a good leader."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

An adherence is an attribute of something real, i.e., of a substance or of another adherence.

SEP

An earlier version of this article incorrectly described an attribute of the sugar.

The New York Times

That it is simple and an attribute of the individual.

The Guardian

It is, in essence, an attribute of individual atomic nuclei.

Britannica

Life would seem an attribute of individual living things.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It's a good job choking isn't an attribute of supposedly superior British sports people.

The Guardian - Sport

Having a moon (or moons) is an attribute of a bona fide planet!

The New York Times

Freedom of speech is now an attribute of aggregations of capital.

The New Yorker

Powell says: "Jeremy is impatient – an attribute of people who get things done".

The Guardian

Molet, M. & Miller, R. R. Timing: an attribute of associative learning.

Nature

Each division of a rectangle is an attribute of the struct.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an attribute of", ensure that the relationship between the attribute and the subject is clear and directly stated. For example, instead of saying "Intelligence, an attribute", specify "Intelligence is an attribute of successful leaders".

Common error

Avoid using "an attribute of" in overly broad or vague statements. Ensure the attribute is specific and meaningfully connected to the subject. For instance, instead of saying "Kindness is an attribute of people", specify "Kindness is an attribute of successful social workers".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an attribute of" functions as a modifier, specifically linking a quality or characteristic to a subject. As shown by Ludwig AI, it describes a quality that inherently belongs to something, clarifying its nature or essence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

28%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an attribute of" is a versatile phrase used to link a quality or characteristic to a subject, clarifying its nature. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, including science, news, and academia. While highly similar alternatives like "a characteristic of" and "a quality of" exist, "an attribute of" often suggests a more inherent or essential quality. When using this phrase, ensure the relationship between the attribute and subject is clearly stated and avoid overgeneralizations. With over 50 real-world examples, it's evident that "an attribute of" is a common and valuable tool for precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a characteristic of

Replaces "attribute" with "characteristic", emphasizing a distinguishing feature.

a property of

Substitutes "attribute" with "property", focusing on an inherent quality.

a feature of

Uses "feature" instead of "attribute", highlighting a notable aspect.

a quality of

Replaces "attribute" with "quality", emphasizing a trait or characteristic.

an aspect of

Uses "aspect" to indicate a part or facet of something.

a component of

Emphasizes that the described element is a part of a larger whole.

a trait of

Replaces "attribute" with "trait", focusing on a distinguishing quality or characteristic.

an element of

Indicates that the described element is a constituent part of something.

a mark of

Emphasizes that the described element is a sign or indication of something.

a hallmark of

Replaces attribute with hallmark, emphasizing the most distinguishing feature.

FAQs

How can I use "an attribute of" in a sentence?

Use "an attribute of" to describe a quality, characteristic, or feature that belongs to someone or something. For example, "Patience is "an attribute of" a good teacher".

What are some alternatives to "an attribute of"?

You can use alternatives like "a characteristic of", "a quality of", or "a feature of" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "attribute to" instead of "an attribute of"?

"Attribute to" is used to assign a quality or characteristic to something, while ""an attribute of"" describes a quality that belongs to something. They have different meanings and uses.

What's the difference between "an attribute of" and "a characteristic of"?

While they are very similar, ""an attribute of"" can sometimes imply a more inherent or essential quality, while "a characteristic of" can refer to any distinguishing feature.