devoid of characteristic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "devoid of characteristic" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that lacks distinctive features or qualities. Example: "The painting was devoid of characteristic style, making it difficult to identify the artist."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Although the span of time preceding the Cambrian period the Precambrian is nearly devoid of characteristic fossil remains and coincides with some of the primary rocks of certain early workers, it must, nevertheless, be evaluated in its temporal context.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Isolates belonging to the first outbreak produced green pigment along with metallic sheen, whereas isolates from second episode were more mucoid in nature devoid of characteristic blue-green pigmentation of P. aeruginosa species.

Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials

From a practical point of view, several settings are conceivable in which this device could help to enhance performance – for example when walking through environments devoid of characteristic landmarks such as desserts or the surface of the moon – and to enable us when vision is limited or completely absent.

Consciousness and Cognition

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

I got a seat!" Back at Grand Central Terminal, devoid of its characteristic buzz, a worker told would-be Metro-North riders that he could not say when service would resume.

The New York Times

1,2-saturated PAs are devoid of the characteristic double bond, and therefore, they are regarded as non-toxic at least as far as bioactivation-mediated toxicity is concerned.

Plosone

FRAX1036 is devoid of the characteristic arylamino moiety of earlier generation compounds, resulting in improved kinase selectivity (Additional file 2: Table S1) and general drug properties.

Breast Cancer Research

Recently, Poulsen et al also reported that Aminophospholipid ATPase3 (aLA3), a member of the P4-ATPase subfamily in Arabidopsis, localizes to the Golgi stacks and that mutations of ALA3 result in devoid of the characteristic Golgi vesicles in only Arabidopsis root-cap peripheral cells [ 35].

BMC Plant Biology

These images suggest that it is devoid of any characteristics in its own right (except those formal characteristics necessary to its role, such as malleability).

SEP

These characters were almost totally devoid of positive characteristics.

The Guardian

The swing voter is also likely to be devoid of other characteristics that are very strong predictors of voting behavior.

The New York Times

In a nutshell: John Pawson does Ikea Curator: Minsuk Cho "There cannot and should not be a modern form of architecture that is devoid of national characteristics," declared Kim Jong-in in 1991 – a statement all too graphically shown in this brilliant exhibition, which brings together work from the North and South of this troubled peninsular for the first time.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "devoid of characteristic" to describe something that lacks distinctive qualities or features that would typically define it. It is suitable for formal writing and can add emphasis to the absence of expected attributes.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "devoid of characteristic" can sound overly formal in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "lacking features" or "without qualities" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "devoid of characteristic" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically modifying a noun to indicate that the noun lacks defining or distinguishing features. It emphasizes the absence of expected attributes, as evidenced by Ludwig's analysis.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

News & Media

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "devoid of characteristic" is a grammatically sound and relatively formal way to describe something lacking in distinctive or defining qualities. According to Ludwig, it is best used in scientific, encyclopedic, or news-related contexts where precision is valued. While effective in highlighting the absence of specific features, it may sound too formal in casual settings. Alternatives such as "lacking distinctive features" or "without unique qualities" can offer a more approachable tone while conveying a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

devoid of identifying features

Focuses on the lack of features that help identify something.

lacking defining characteristics

Changes the structure while maintaining the core meaning.

absent of defining traits

Simplifies the language to indicate the absence of defining characteristics.

missing defining attributes

Highlights the absence of key attributes that define something.

without distinctive qualities

Focuses on the absence of notable or special qualities.

lacking distinguishing marks

Highlights the absence of any marks or features that set something apart.

lacking in unique features

Changes the wording to emphasize a lack of unique attributes.

bereft of typical traits

Uses "bereft" for a more formal tone, emphasizing a loss of typical traits.

without its hallmark

Emphasizes the absence of a signature or distinguishing mark.

stripped of its identity

Indicates a complete removal of characteristic elements, implying a loss of identity.

FAQs

How can I use "devoid of characteristic" in a sentence?

You can use "devoid of characteristic" to describe something that lacks distinctive qualities. For example: "The landscape was "devoid of characteristic" features, making it seem monotonous".

What are some alternatives to saying "devoid of characteristic"?

Some alternatives include "lacking distinctive features", "without unique qualities", or "missing defining attributes" depending on the context.

Is "devoid of characteristic" the same as "lacking character"?

While similar, "devoid of characteristic" typically refers to the absence of specific, identifiable traits, while "lacking character" often implies a lack of personality or interesting qualities in a more general sense.

When is it appropriate to use "devoid of characteristic" in writing?

"Devoid of characteristic" is suitable for formal or technical writing when you want to emphasize the absence of specific, defining features. It might sound too formal in casual conversation.