are distinctive by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are distinctive by" is not correct in standard written English.
A more appropriate phrase would be "are distinguished by." Example: "These species are distinguished by their unique coloration and patterns."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Identical twins may have nearly identical genes, but their methyl groups are distinctive by the time they are born and become increasingly different as the years pass.

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Whatever its source, the doctrine of the Logos in John is distinctive by virtue of the fact that it identifies the Logos with a specific historical person.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Cincinnati Arch began to form during the Middle Ordovician (472 million to 461 million years ago) and was distinctive by the Silurian Period (444 million to 416 million years ago).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Trichoderma tibetense appeared as a separate terminal branch related to T. strictipile, and is distinctive by its high growth rate and conidiophore branching pattern.

Mycoscience

Both call types were found to be distinctive by caller [43], enabling the receiver to individually recognize the sender.

Plosone

The corner was distinctive by being constructed from the black and a white wall.

Hippocampus

We tested two hypotheses in each call type: (i) Patriline Signature Hypothesis: calls will be distinctive by patriline, and (ii) Patriline Recognition Hypothesis: females will respond differently to calls from their fathers and unrelated males when familiarity is controlled.

BMC Ecology

Sex was found to be distinctive by MANOVA (P < 10-3; DF(1) = 1.262 Ent -1.228 Q2 + 1.119 Mean S) but the pDFA shows that this separation could also be due to individual differences.

BMC Ecology

THE villains in Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy are distinctive, even by the standards of summer-movie bad guys, in that they seek nothing but destruction.

The New York Times

The reredos and pulpit are distinctive cedar carvings by the early rector F. Wilkinson.

Wikipedia

The pathological lesions of IBNC are distinctive and characterised by four types of histological change [ 4].

BMC Veterinary Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use more grammatically sound phrases like "are distinguished by" or "are characterized by" to ensure clarity and accuracy in your writing. These alternatives are widely accepted and understood.

Common error

Avoid using "by" directly after "are distinctive". Instead, use prepositions like "for" or restructure the sentence to use phrases such as "are distinguished by" or "are known for".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are distinctive by" aims to attribute a distinguishing quality, but its usage is grammatically incorrect. As noted by Ludwig AI, a better construction would be "are distinguished by" or "are characterized by". The example provided supports this correction.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

25%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are distinctive by" is considered grammatically incorrect in standard written English. As Ludwig AI points out, more appropriate alternatives include "are distinguished by" or "are characterized by". While the intention is to highlight unique attributes, the incorrect preposition usage undermines clarity. For precise and effective communication, especially in formal contexts, adopting the recommended alternatives ensures grammatical accuracy and enhances the overall quality of your writing. The phrase appears rarely, and, if you intend to emphasize unique attributes, it is recommended to use another one.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are distinguished by

Uses "distinguished by" to emphasize the features that differentiate something from others.

are characterized by

Replaces "distinctive by" with "characterized by", focusing on the attributes that define something.

are set apart by

Focuses on the aspect of being different or separate from others due to certain features.

are marked by

Employs "marked by" to highlight notable or prominent features.

exhibit distinctive features

Uses "exhibit" to show the presence of unique features.

are notable for

Focuses on the noteworthiness of certain characteristics.

are identifiable by

Indicates that something can be recognized based on specific traits.

are peculiar to

Implies that the characteristics are specific and unique to the subject.

possess unique traits

Shifts the structure to emphasize the possession of unique characteristics.

are known for their uniqueness

Highlights the renown associated with being unique.

FAQs

What is a more grammatically correct alternative to "are distinctive by"?

A more grammatically correct alternative is "are distinguished by" or "are characterized by". These phrases are standard in English and convey the intended meaning clearly.

How can I use "are distinguished by" in a sentence?

You can use "are distinguished by" to highlight unique features. For example, "These species are distinguished by their unique coloration and patterns."

What's the difference between "are distinctive by" and "are distinguished by"?

"Are distinctive by" is not grammatically correct. The correct phrase is "are distinguished by", which means to be recognized for particular characteristics that set something apart.

Which phrase should I use: "are distinctive by" or "are characterized by"?

Use "are characterized by" as it is grammatically correct and widely accepted. "Are distinctive by" is not standard English.