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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
an individual category
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
'an individual category' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a specific area or concept that is distinguishable from other related areas or concepts. For example, "Each participant was asked to provide information in each of the five individual categories."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Encyclopedias
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
3 human-written examples
Grime was introduced to the awards for music of black origin as an individual category two years ago, so that acts no longer had to share a platform with hip-hop.
News & Media
In the 1957 1959 edition, "tension" was eliminated as an individual category and readers were referred to the "stress" entries.
These same features are still available post-redesign, except that, today, delving into an individual category only takes one tap, instead of two.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
57 human-written examples
In November Rucker was named best new artist at the CMA awards, becoming the first African American performer to win in a major individual category since 1972.
Encyclopedias
However, to avoid weighting within a single category, an individual contig was not allowed to be included more than once in a single GO Slim bin.
Science
Telecommunications group BT, which was recently shortlisted in the Best Sponsorship of a Sport Team or Individual category of the Sport Industry Awards 2013 for its campaign featuring Mr Pistorius, said: "Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragedy.
News & Media
Looked at from the standpoint of long-term trends, we could and should have had higher contributions in the individual category, a type of giving that often reaches small-scale neighborhood groups and spurs civic engagement".
News & Media
Each category is then assigned a rating (strong, moderate or weak), and based on these individual category ratings, a global rating is assigned for the study (strong, moderate or weak).
Science
Although team members gave different labels to their categories, there was an encouraging overlap in the individual category definitions.
Alicia Darnell, 17, a senior at Pelham Memorial High School in Pelham, N.Y., won second place and a $50,000 scholarship in the individual category for research that identified genetic defects that could play a role in the development of Lou Gehrig's disease.
News & Media
A perceived weakness under the individual category was that decision makers would be unwilling to release resources from their own program budgets to fund investments elsewhere.
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "an individual category" when you want to emphasize that a category is being considered separately and distinctly from others.
Common error
Avoid using "individual category" when "category" alone suffices. The word "individual" should only be added if you specifically need to emphasize the separate or distinct nature of the category in question.
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "an individual category" functions as a noun phrase. It identifies a specific, self-contained classification or grouping. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is grammatically sound and usable, suggesting its role in clearly delineating distinct areas or concepts.
Frequent in
Science
33%
News & Media
33%
Encyclopedias
33%
Less common in
Wiki
0%
Formal & Business
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "an individual category" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to denote a distinct classification. As Ludwig confirmed, this phrase is suitable for emphasizing the separateness of a particular category across different contexts. While its frequency is rare, it appears consistently in science, news & media and encyclopedias sources. Consider replacing "an individual category" with alternatives like "a specific category" or "a distinct category" depending on the nuances you wish to convey. Remember to only use the word "individual" when it is important to specify that the specific category is being considered as separate from others.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
a specific category
Replaces "individual" with "specific", emphasizing particularity.
a distinct category
Substitutes "individual" with "distinct", highlighting separateness from other categories.
a separate category
Replaces "individual" with "separate", focusing on the independent nature of the category.
a particular category
Substitutes "individual" with "particular", emphasizing the specific nature of the category.
an isolated category
Replaces "individual" with "isolated", suggesting the category is standalone.
a unique category
Replaces "individual" with "unique", highlighting the category's exceptional nature.
a discrete category
Replaces "individual" with "discrete", focusing on its clear boundaries.
an exclusive category
Substitutes "individual" with "exclusive", emphasizing its limited access or applicability.
a standalone category
Replaces "individual" with "standalone", highlighting independence.
a self-contained category
Replaces "individual" with "self-contained", emphasizing completeness within itself.
FAQs
How can I use "an individual category" in a sentence?
You can use "an individual category" to emphasize that you are considering a specific category separately. For example, "Each submission will be judged based on the criteria for "an individual category"".
What's the difference between "a specific category" and "an individual category"?
While similar, "an individual category" emphasizes the separateness or distinctness of the category, while "a specific category" simply points to a particular category without necessarily highlighting its independence.
What are some alternatives to using "an individual category"?
Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "a distinct category", "a separate category", or "a particular category".
Is it always necessary to use "individual" when referring to a category?
No, it is not always necessary. Use "individual" only when you want to highlight the separateness or uniqueness of the category. In many cases, simply using "category" is sufficient.
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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
84%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested