completely distinct from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "completely distinct from" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is separate or unique from something else. Example: "The new product line is completely distinct from our previous offerings, with its own branding and target audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We are being pushed into an artificial tribalism and we are being told that ethnically, religiously and historically, we are completely distinct from the west.

The Guardian - Opinion

An article about the Women's March published on a site associated with The Times, but completely distinct from it, became a right-wing crowd pleaser.

The New York Times

Further, the fact that illegalization does not hinge on a particular legal system means that whether someone is illegalized is completely distinct from whether someone is illegal.

University of California, Berkeley

Therapeutically, pitavastatin-NP was associated with anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative effects on small pulmonary arteries, which was completely distinct from the vasodilatory effect of sildenafil.

Stanford University

This theory highlighted the parallels between leaves and shoots and contrasted with an alternative view that leaves, with their limited growth potential, are completely distinct from shoots.

Annals of Botany

"I'm just looking for new blood that's not tied to any roots, someone who's completely distinct from the system," Mr. Thompson said.

The New York Times

He considered the father of Christ to be completely distinct from the creator God of Judaism and saw only contrasts between Jewish religion and the Christian Gospels.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Chalmers, for example, makes the startling proposition that consciousness must be accepted as a characteristic of the universe completely distinct from previously recognized physical attributes, such as matter, energy, forces, and motions.

MIT Technology Review

In contrast, the site 2 bin is completely distinct from site 1; it contains two antibodies, 1245 and 1260, and showed no interference with any of the other tested antibodies.

Nature

Though played by essentially the same musicians, it is also completely distinct from the acoustic music that preceded it, and the inclusion of this electric material in this boxed set makes no historical sense.

The New York Times - Arts

Surprisingly, 17B1.3 binds to a site on B7-H6 that is completely distinct from the binding site for NKp30, such that 17B1.3 does not block the NKp30 B7-H6 NKp30 B7-H6.

Journal of Molecular Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "completely distinct from", ensure that the comparison is clear and that the distinct qualities are easily understood by the reader. This helps to avoid ambiguity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "completely distinct from" when only a minor difference exists. Reserve this phrase for situations where the items being compared have fundamentally different characteristics, functions, or origins. Use other comparative terms like "slightly different" for more subtle differences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "completely distinct from" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun, clarifying the relationship between two entities by emphasizing their absolute separateness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to show a clear differentiation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

34%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "completely distinct from" is a versatile and commonly used expression to emphasize a fundamental difference between two subjects. As Ludwig AI affirms, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted. Appearing across various contexts from scientific research to news reporting, the phrase functions adjectivally to highlight the absolute separateness of the compared entities. It is important to use this phrase when the differences are indeed significant, avoiding its application to minor variations. Alternatives such as "entirely different from" or "bears no resemblance to" can provide stylistic variation. Mastering its usage contributes to clear and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

entirely different from

Replaces "completely distinct" with "entirely different", emphasizing the degree of difference.

differs significantly from

Uses "differs significantly" to denote a notable divergence.

markedly dissimilar to

Replaces "completely distinct" with "markedly dissimilar", emphasizing a clear dissimilarity.

totally unrelated to

Focuses on the lack of a connection between the two subjects.

bears no resemblance to

Highlights the absence of similarity in appearance or characteristics.

separate and unrelated to

Highlights both the separation and lack of relation.

has no connection with

Emphasizes the absence of any link or association.

unique compared to

Emphasizes the uniqueness of one thing in relation to another.

independent of

Indicates a lack of reliance or influence between two things.

nothing like

An informal way to express complete dissimilarity.

FAQs

How can I use "completely distinct from" in a sentence?

Use "completely distinct from" to emphasize that two things have no overlapping characteristics. For example, "The company's new strategy is "completely distinct from" its previous approach, focusing on a different market segment and utilizing new technologies".

What's the difference between "completely distinct from" and "slightly different from"?

"Completely distinct from" indicates a fundamental difference, implying no overlap or similarity. "Slightly different from" suggests minor variations but acknowledges a common base or relationship.

Are there more formal alternatives to "completely distinct from"?

Yes, more formal alternatives include "entirely different from", "markedly dissimilar to", or "bears no resemblance to". Each of these phrases can add a more academic or professional tone.

Is it redundant to say "completely distinct"? Can I just say "distinct"?

While "distinct" implies a difference, adding "completely" emphasizes the extent of that difference. Saying something is "distinct" suggests it is separate or distinguishable, whereas "completely distinct" underscores that there is no overlap or shared characteristic.