distinct individuals

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "distinct individuals" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to separate and unique persons or entities, often in contexts discussing diversity or individuality. Example: "In our study, we surveyed a group of distinct individuals to gather a wide range of perspectives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yet the choreography failed to make the characters distinct individuals.

The New York Times - Arts

It's the recognition that a retail store exists in a community made of distinct individuals.

The New York Times

We are probably inclined to think of ourselves as distinct individuals, separate from other beings.

The Guardian - Opinion

"But my other concern was to make sure they seemed like distinct individuals.

The Guardian - Film

While Beau and Edythe feel like very distinct individuals to me, their genders don't change the basic story.

The Guardian

One thing botanic gardens haven't done, says Fant, is see plants as distinct individuals.

Yale University

His drawings depict distinct individuals: Margru, a young girl, hints at a smile.

Yale University

These encourage voters to think about their local candidates not as distinct individuals but as representatives of their parties.

The Washington Post

Like the farmhands in "The Wizard of Oz," the uncles are less distinct individuals than a single guardian split three ways.

The New York Times - Books

The young trespassers are not really distinct individuals yet, and the perspective of the story is suspended effortlessly among their minds.

The New York Times - Books

Asylum seekers are vilified or held up as a cause to be saved, but rarely presented as distinct individuals with names, lives, skills, histories.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing groups, use "distinct individuals" to emphasize that each member has unique characteristics and should not be treated as a homogenous entity.

Common error

Avoid using "distinct individuals" when referring to broad demographic categories; instead, focus on specific characteristics or shared traits within the group to prevent overgeneralization and stereotyping.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "distinct individuals" functions as a noun phrase, where 'distinct' modifies the noun 'individuals'. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "distinct individuals" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to underscore the uniqueness and separateness of individuals within a group. As validated by Ludwig AI, its prevalence spans diverse contexts, notably news, academia, and science. When writing, leveraging this phrase can effectively emphasize the unique attributes and characteristics of each person, preventing generalizations. Alternatives such as "unique persons" or "individual entities" can be considered to avoid redundancy and enhance clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

specific individuals

Focuses on the specificity and uniqueness of each individual.

individual entities

Highlights the individual nature of each entity.

unique persons

Emphasizes the uniqueness of each person rather than their separateness.

separate entities

Focuses on the separateness and independence of each entity.

discrete persons

Uses a more formal term to emphasize the distinctness of each person.

identifiable individuals

Stresses the ability to recognize each individual as separate.

particular people

Highlights specific and individualized persons.

individual characters

Emphasizes the unique character of each person or entity.

independent agents

Highlights the autonomy and independence of each agent.

singular persons

Uses 'singular' to emphasize the uniqueness and individuality of each person.

FAQs

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

You can use "distinct individuals" to emphasize the unique qualities of people within a group. For instance, "The study focused on how societal changes affect "specific individuals" differently."

What's an alternative to saying "distinct individuals"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "unique persons", "separate entities", or "individual entities".

Is it correct to refer to animals as "distinct individuals"?

Yes, "distinct individuals" can apply to animals as well, especially when highlighting their unique personalities or behaviors, as seen in examples discussing animal behavior.

In what situations is "distinct individuals" most appropriate?

"Distinct individuals" is particularly useful when you want to stress that members of a group are not interchangeable and possess unique attributes, backgrounds, or experiences.