distinctive similarities

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "distinctive similarities" is not correct and is generally considered a contradiction in terms.
It is used to describe similarities that are unique or characteristic, but the word "distinctive" implies a difference rather than a similarity. Example: "The study revealed distinctive similarities between the two species, which was surprising given their different habitats."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Paleoanthropologist and team member Peter Brown, who described the bones, says the distinctive similarities among the specimens confirm that they are a new species rather than diseased moderns.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

This substantiates that both sediments display a distinctive similarity in cellular component groups but are only moderately correlated in terms of overrepresented molecular functions (see Additional files 4 and 5).

BMC Genomics

Despite this distinctive similarity, however, the IRG and SRP protein families appear to be completely unrelated to each other in sequence in those parts of the molecule that compose the catalytic interface (Additional file 19) and belong, in fact, to the two different major clades (SIMIBI and TRAFAC) that have been defined over multiple GTPase families [ 29].

BMC Biology

While the cutaneous gene expression profiles associated with each mouse phenotype exhibited statistically significant similarity to the expression profile of psoriasis in humans, each model displayed distinctive sets of similarities and differences in comparison to human psoriasis.

Plosone

According to a story on TMZ, legal papers filed aginst the 80-year-old designer claim the use of the letter K on a pair of trainers from his eponymous collection is too similar to New Balance's distinctive N, a similarity that has already been noted elsewhere.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In order to maximize the predictive value of these matches, ETA next applies distinctive specificity filters evolutionary similarity, function plurality and match reciprocity.

Bioinformatics

Even though intrinsic and extrinsic skin aging are distinctive processes, they share similarities in molecular mechanisms.

BioMed Research International

The importance measure of a term can be utilized for computing the similarity or distinctive relation between documents which signifies that these documents are describing a collection of similar or discerning topics.

Journal of Big Data

Its distinctive feature is a similarity measure for estimating the population diversity, which is based on the angle between the objective vectors.

Swarm and Evolutionary Computation

Considering their genetic similarity, but distinctive phenotypes (tree/shrub), geographical ranges (widespread/restricted) and ecology (generalist/specialist) the species comprise a promising system for study of the genomic basis of adaptation and the genetic architecture of phenotypic traits.

BMC Genomics

Although Zika and Ebola are very different contagions that cause distinctive diseases, there are startling similarities in how the two epidemics unfolded.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "distinctive similarities" in formal writing. Instead, opt for clearer phrases like "noticeable resemblances" or "key similarities" to ensure your message is easily understood.

Common error

The term "distinctive" implies uniqueness, while "similarities" suggests shared traits. Using them together can create an oxymoron. Ensure your writing is precise by choosing alternatives that accurately reflect your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "distinctive similarities" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "distinctive" modifies the noun "similarities". However, Ludwig AI points out that its usage is questionable due to the inherent contradiction, as "distinctive" implies uniqueness while "similarities" suggests shared traits.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

68%

News & Media

22%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "distinctive similarities" appears in various sources, Ludwig AI highlights its grammatical awkwardness due to the contradicting nature of the terms. It attempts to convey unique resemblances, but clearer alternatives like "noticeable resemblances", "key similarities", or "striking parallels" are recommended for precision. Usage spans scientific, news, and encyclopedia contexts, with a neutral to formal register. Given the potential for misinterpretation, opting for less ambiguous phrasings is advisable, especially in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

noticeable resemblances

Replaces "distinctive" with "noticeable" to emphasize the ease of observing the similarities.

prominent similarities

Substitutes "distinctive" with "prominent" to highlight the importance or salience of the similarities.

striking parallels

Replaces both words to convey a surprising or impressive degree of similarity.

remarkable commonalities

Uses "remarkable" to emphasize the unusual nature of the shared traits.

key similarities

Focuses on the importance of the similarities rather than their distinctiveness.

significant similarities

Highlights the importance and relevance of the similarities.

clear similarities

Emphasizes the unambiguous nature of the similarities.

identifiable similarities

Focuses on the ease with which the similarities can be recognized.

specific points of convergence

More formal phrasing that highlights particular areas where things are similar.

unusual resemblances

Highlights the atypical nature of similarities.

FAQs

Is "distinctive similarities" grammatically correct?

While the phrase "distinctive similarities" does appear in some texts, it's often considered a contradiction in terms by language experts. It's better to use alternatives like "noticeable resemblances" or "striking parallels" for clarity.

What are some alternatives to "distinctive similarities"?

Depending on the context, you can replace "distinctive similarities" with phrases such as "significant similarities", "remarkable commonalities", or "key similarities".

When can I use "distinctive similarities"?

While not generally recommended, you might use "distinctive similarities" when you want to emphasize that the similarities are particularly unique or stand out in some way. However, consider whether an alternative phrasing would be clearer for your audience.

What is the difference between "distinctive similarities" and "clear similarities"?

"Clear similarities" simply means that the similarities are easy to see or understand. "Distinctive similarities", though less common and potentially contradictory, suggests that the similarities themselves are unique or characteristic in some way. Use "clear similarities" for directness.