as distinct as a

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as distinct as a" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the clarity or uniqueness of something in comparison to another. Example: "Her style is as distinct as a fingerprint, setting her apart from all the other artists."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Any ideas told at length are as distinct as a voice mail from a friend who pocket-dialled you while skydiving.

The New Yorker

"It's not in their DNA to compete, and there is nothing quite as distinct as a monopoly hanging on for dear life," said John Emra, regional vice president for external legislative affairs for AT&T.

The New York Times

First comes crossing the street alone, then walking to school, and before parents know it, the child has breached an imaginary orbit of safety around Jackson Heights or Riverdale or Park Slope, a mental boundary of 2 or 20 blocks that to a New Yorker is as distinct as a suburban picket fence.

The New York Times

People tend to write these days about anxiety and fear as though they were equal, or anyway continuous, emotions, one blending into the other, but anyone who has felt them and anyone who hasn't felt them, at least a little, hasn't been living in New York in the past year knows that they are as distinct as a bus from a subway, as a Devil Dog from a Ring-Ding.

The New Yorker

People tend to write these days about anxiety and fear as though they were equal, or anyway continuous, emotions, one blending into the other, but anyone who has felt them — and anyone who hasn't felt them, at least a little, hasn't been living in New York in the past year — knows that they are as distinct as a bus from a subway, as a Devil Dog from a Ring-Ding.

The New Yorker

The two patterns of activity were as distinct as a 'yes' and a 'no'no

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

It's not nearly as distinct as, say, a fingerprint, but the way we walk is distinct enough to further distinguish fakers.

TechCrunch

Note that the reason we do not use our recent preprocessing scheme in [11] is that, the peaks in the DFT spectrum of a single SPN are not as distinct as those in the spectrum of a clean reference SPN.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

The distinction between the two broadcasters is not as distinct as it once was".

The Guardian

The ages of Hockney are as distinct as the four seasons.

The Guardian - Arts

"Halloween will look as distinct as Presidents' Day or the mayor's birthday".

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Choose concrete and universally understood examples to follow "as distinct as a" to make the comparison more impactful and easily relatable for your audience.

Common error

Avoid using vague or overly abstract comparisons with "as distinct as a". For example, saying something is "as distinct as an idea from a feeling" is less effective than saying it's "as distinct as a cat from a dog" because the latter provides a clearer, more immediate understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as distinct as a" functions as a comparative expression, used to emphasize the degree to which two things are different and easily distinguishable. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. The examples provided highlight its use in various contexts to illustrate clarity and uniqueness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as distinct as a" is a grammatically correct and useful expression for emphasizing the clear difference between two things. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific writing. While not the most common phrase, it effectively underscores clarity and uniqueness. For alternative expressions, consider "as different as a", "as unique as a", or "as clear as a" depending on the specific nuance needed. Remember to use concrete examples for maximum impact and avoid overly abstract comparisons.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as different as

Focuses on the degree of difference rather than the clarity of distinction.

as unique as

Emphasizes the unparalleled nature of something, highlighting its individuality.

as clear as

Highlights the ease of perceiving the difference, focusing on clarity.

as unlike as

Stresses the dissimilar nature of the compared items.

as disparate as

Indicates a significant and fundamental difference.

as distinguishable as

Focuses on the ability to tell things apart.

as distinct from

Highlights separation and lack of overlap.

as contrasted with

Emphasizes the act of comparing and noticing differences.

as opposed to

Introduces a direct contrast or alternative.

as individual as

Underscores the separate and unique qualities.

FAQs

How can I use "as distinct as a" in a sentence?

Use "as distinct as a" to emphasize the clear difference between two things. For example, "The two flavors were "as distinct as a" lemon and a lime" highlights that the flavors are easily differentiated.

What phrases are similar to "as distinct as a"?

Alternatives include "as different as a", "as unique as a", or "as clear as a", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a more formal way to express "as distinct as a"?

In formal contexts, consider using "clearly differentiated from" or "markedly distinct from". These options provide a more sophisticated tone while maintaining the same meaning.

When is it best to use "as distinct as a" over other comparison phrases?

Use "as distinct as a" when you want to emphasize that the difference between two things is not just present, but also easily perceivable and unambiguous. This phrase is ideal when clarity is key.