characteristics such as

USAGE SUMMARY

"characteristics such as" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is commonly used to introduce a list of features or qualities that exemplify a larger concept or idea. Example: "The new car model boasts several advanced features, characteristics such as automatic braking, keyless entry, and a touchscreen display."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They share characteristics such as 'boutique winery' scale, continuity, tenure, experience and passion".

The New York Times - Food

Other characteristics, such as being trustworthy and having integrity, could be played up.

The Guardian - Opinion

Many anthropologists sought to differentiate races by physical characteristics, such as skull size.

The New Yorker

It factored in characteristics such as gender, eligibility for free school meals, special educational needs status and prior educational attainment.

The Guardian

Improving other chip characteristics, such as speed, may also reduce leakage.

The Economist

Within a few years architectural characteristics such as pediments, cornices, and pilasters became prominent.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Certain characteristics, such as body size and shape and swimming pattern, amount to chance similarities.

Encyclopedia Britannica

So both parties have been stressing the need for characteristics such as "constructive opposition" and "inclusivity".

The Economist

Clinics match the donor profile to the male partner, so that characteristics such as height, hair colour and ethnic origin are very similar.

The Guardian

In general this group shares common characteristics, such as creativity, individuality, diversity, and merit.

TechCrunch

Film characteristics such as roughness, thicknesses, and homogeneity were compared.

Microelectronic Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "characteristics such as" to provide concrete examples that illustrate a broader, more abstract quality or feature. This enhances clarity and understanding for the reader.

Common error

Avoid implying that the list following "characteristics such as" is exhaustive when it is not. Use phrases like "among others" or "for example" to indicate that the list is not comprehensive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "characteristics such as" functions as an introductory phrase. It signals that what follows is a list of specific qualities or features that exemplify the preceding noun. It is commonly used to clarify a broader concept by providing concrete instances as seen in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

34%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "characteristics such as" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to introduce examples of specific qualities or attributes. It enjoys broad applicability across various contexts, ranging from scientific and academic writing to news and general communication, as confirmed by Ludwig. When using this phrase, ensure that the examples provided are relevant and illustrative of the characteristics being described. While acceptable in most registers, remember that more informal alternatives, such as "traits like", may be suitable for casual contexts. Using "characteristics such as" effectively enhances clarity and specificity in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

features such as

Replaces "characteristics" with "features", focusing on specific aspects or elements.

traits like

Uses "traits" instead of "characteristics" and "like" instead of "such as", creating a more informal tone.

attributes including

Employs "attributes" for "characteristics" and "including" for "such as", offering a slightly more formal alternative.

qualities such as

Substitutes "characteristics" with "qualities", highlighting inherent properties or features.

properties such as

Replaces "characteristics" with "properties", emphasizing inherent attributes or qualities.

aspects such as

Uses "aspects" instead of "characteristics", focusing on particular facets or dimensions.

elements like

Replaces "characteristics" with "elements" and "such as" with "like", providing a simpler alternative.

factors such as

Substitutes "characteristics" with "factors", emphasizing contributing elements or influences.

elements including

Offers a more concise way to introduce examples, omitting "such as".

considerations such as

Shifts the focus to elements that need to be taken into account.

FAQs

How do I use "characteristics such as" in a sentence?

Use "characteristics such as" to introduce specific examples that clarify a general attribute or feature. For example, "The plant exhibits several adaptive characteristics, such as drought resistance and rapid growth".

What are some alternatives to "characteristics such as"?

You can use alternatives like "features such as", "traits like", or "attributes including" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "characteristics such as" and "for example"?

While both introduce examples, "characteristics such as" specifically highlights defining qualities, whereas "for example" introduces instances that illustrate a broader concept. You might say, "The dog has several characteristics, such as loyalty and intelligence", or, "The dog performs many tricks, for example, fetching and rolling over".

Can I use "like" instead of "such as" with "characteristics"?

Yes, using "like" is grammatically correct, but "such as" is more formal. For example, you could say "The software has useful characteristics like ease of use and customization options".