characteristically

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'characteristically' is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to describe something that is typical or expected of a particular person, thing, or situation. For example: "The teacher, characteristically, arrived to class 10 minutes early."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If Cook seems to be suffering a chronic case of competitive fatigue before England's one-day series, which starts next week, there was at least a flash of characteristically restrained fury in his response to his team's humiliation here.

The Guardian - Sport

Characteristically he had rushed home from Australia to enlist as a private in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, and promotion came quickly - as it did in all he put his hand and mind to, except his chosen career of politics.

The Guardian

At the centre was the casket with a glass bubble at the top revealing Mandela's familiar face and white hair, along with a characteristically vibrant shirt.

The Guardian

"Turnover has been characteristically low, reflecting our long-term investment horizons.

The Guardian - Money

Let's leave Lord Justice Moses, first chairman of Ipso (the new press regulator), to his doomed role as latest "barman in the last-chance saloon" (in Hacked Off's characteristically winsome opinion).

The Guardian

His death, at the age of 82, characteristically followed a trip overseas, on this occasion to Jordan.

The Guardian

When I ask Denis what brings together these disparate strands, her response is characteristically oblique:"I suppose I am interested in the variety of human life – how people live.

The Guardian - Film

Finally, from Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui comes Genesis, a characteristically ambitious meditation on life and death, which he's created in collaboration with Yabin Wang, the Chinese dancer featured in the film House of Flying Daggers and one of three choreographers who will feature in English National Ballet's forthcoming programme of all female work.

The Guardian

Self-flagellation was seen at its most merciless in last weekend's For The Record column in the Observer, where readers' editor Stephen Pritchard was characteristically stern in taking a classical CD reviewer to task for praising an oboist for his "almost 40 minutes of continuous solo" in Vaughan Williams's oboe concerto – in reality "the piece lasts barely 20 minutes", he pointed out scornfully.

The Guardian

This is a question to which the SNP will have characteristically given much thought.

The Guardian - Opinion

He later left Aursland and moved to Sweden, but she only learned of the initial episode with Bostrom when she read the second volume, A Man in Love, where it is recorded with characteristically scrupulous candour.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "characteristically" to subtly imply predictability in behavior or outcomes, adding nuance to your descriptions. This adverb works best when the typical behavior is already understood by your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "characteristically" too frequently in formal or academic writing, as it can sometimes sound repetitive. Instead, diversify your vocabulary with synonyms like "typically" or "usually" where appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "characteristically" is to act as an adverb, modifying a verb or clause to indicate that an action or event occurs in a typical or expected manner. Ludwig AI shows many examples in which the word appears before verbs describing actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "characteristically" functions as an adverb that indicates actions or behaviors align with established patterns or expectations. According to Ludwig AI, the word is grammatically correct and appears "very common" in various contexts, particularly in "News & Media" and "Formal & Business" writing. Its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse applications, though some stylistic guidance suggests cautious usage in highly formal settings to prevent redundancy. Alternative phrases like "typically" or "in a typical manner" offer ways to diversify your writing while maintaining clarity. Use "characteristically" to subtly highlight predictability in people's behavior or outcomes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

typically

A direct synonym, offering a more concise alternative.

in a typical manner

Replaces the adverb with a prepositional phrase, emphasizing the manner of action.

in a way that is typical

Expands on the original word, offering a slightly more descriptive version.

as is typical

Uses a phrase to indicate something is happening in its usual way.

true to form

An idiomatic expression indicating behavior consistent with past actions.

in keeping with character

Emphasizes the consistency with someone's personality or nature.

as one would expect

Shifts the focus to the expected outcome based on previous knowledge.

consistent with habit

Highlights how habitual behaviors may come into play.

after their fashion

Highlights the unique way someone usually acts.

in accordance with its nature

Emphasizes a natural or inherent tendency.

FAQs

How can I use "characteristically" in a sentence?

Use "characteristically" to describe an action or behavior that is typical or expected of a particular person, thing, or situation. For instance, "He was, "characteristically", late for the meeting."

What are some alternatives to using "characteristically"?

Depending on the context, you can replace "characteristically" with alternatives such as "typically", "usually", or "in a typical manner".

Is it better to use "characteristically" or "typically"?

Both "characteristically" and "typically" can be used to describe something that is usual or expected. "Characteristically" might imply a stronger connection to the inherent nature or character of the subject, while "typically" is a more general term.

Can "characteristically" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "characteristically" can be used in formal writing, but it should be used judiciously. Overusing it might make your writing sound repetitive. Ensure it adds value by accurately reflecting a recognizable pattern or trait.