an important characteristic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an important characteristic" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a key feature or quality of a person, object, or concept that holds significance. Example: "One important characteristic of effective leaders is their ability to communicate clearly."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Of course, perseverance is an important characteristic.

The Washington Post

The fatigue behavior is an important characteristic of structural materials.

Intermetallics

Software reliability is an important characteristic for most systems.

Journal of Systems and Software

For how many students was race or ethnicity an important characteristic of their role models?

The New York Times

Trust me, if a team comes back from behind consistently, that's an important characteristic.

The Guardian - Sport

By that time, investigators had grasped an important characteristic of Al Qaeda's operations.

The New York Times

This is an important characteristic of porous material.

Construction and Building Materials

The Si/Al ratio is an important characteristic of zeolites.

Advances in Agronomy

LWP seems to be an important characteristic of landscape functionality.

Ecological Indicators

On the other hand, the food at LocoL does share an important characteristic with its classmates.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I believe that in the fashionable world of organizational design, fit remains an important characteristic.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an important characteristic", ensure it is followed by a clear explanation or example to illustrate its significance. This provides context and reinforces the characteristic's relevance to the discussion.

Common error

Avoid using "an important characteristic" when describing a trivial or self-evident feature. Doing so can weaken your argument and dilute the impact of genuinely significant characteristics.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an important characteristic" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or an object in a sentence. It introduces a quality or feature that is noteworthy. As Ludwig AI explains, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

49%

News & Media

23%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an important characteristic" is a versatile phrase used to introduce significant attributes across various contexts, from scientific research to news reporting. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its grammatical correctness and frequent usage make it a reliable choice for emphasizing key features. While alternatives like "a key feature" or "a significant attribute" exist, the best choice depends on the specific shade of meaning you wish to convey. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity and context to maximize its impact. Remember to avoid overusing it for trivial features. The phrase's frequency and presence in authoritative sources underscore its relevance in formal and neutral communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant attribute

Emphasizes the noteworthiness of the attribute, similar to 'important' but with a slightly more formal tone.

a key feature

Highlights that the characteristic is a central aspect or component.

a crucial element

Stresses the essential nature of the characteristic for a particular purpose or outcome.

a vital quality

Indicates the characteristic is necessary and life-sustaining in a broader sense.

a notable aspect

Draws attention to the characteristic as being worthy of notice or consideration.

a prominent trait

Suggests the characteristic is easily recognizable or stands out.

a defining attribute

Implies that the characteristic is central to the identity or nature of something.

a primary component

Highlights the characteristic as a fundamental part of a larger system or entity.

a valuable asset

Presents the characteristic as something beneficial or advantageous.

a fundamental property

Indicates the characteristic is basic and essential to the nature of something.

FAQs

How can I use "an important characteristic" in a sentence?

Use "an important characteristic" to introduce a significant feature or quality of a subject. For example, "An important characteristic of successful entrepreneurs is resilience."

What are some alternatives to "an important characteristic"?

Consider using phrases like "a key feature", "a significant attribute", or "a crucial element" as "alternatives" to "an important characteristic", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "an important characteristic" or "a key characteristic"?

Both "an important characteristic" and "a key characteristic" are grammatically correct and widely understood. The choice depends on the context and the level of emphasis you want to place on the characteristic. "Key" suggests something is essential, while "important" simply indicates significance.

What makes "an important characteristic" different from "a defining characteristic"?

"An important characteristic" refers to a feature that is significant, whereas "a defining characteristic" implies a feature that is essential to the identity or nature of something. A defining characteristic is more fundamental and central than "an important characteristic".