distinctive values

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "distinctive values" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to unique principles or beliefs that set something apart from others. Example: "The company's distinctive values are reflected in its commitment to sustainability and community engagement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

And those Labour policies have to be symbols of distinctive values.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Of course, in Scotland and in Wales we'll be fighting hard for our distinctive values and policies.

The Guardian

A freak of a byelection that risked being pointless has ended up as a restatement of some of the capital's most distinctive values.

The Guardian

But the larger question is whether religious organizations with distinctive values can continue to share the provision of social services alongside government.

The New York Times

To Arcade, both progressive culture and personal meaning are rooted in self-individuation: developing one's own distinctive values and taste over decades of unique experience and thought.

The Guardian

These negotiations made significant progress, and in 1996 the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples concluded that Canada needed to protect the distinctive values and lifestyles of its aboriginal peoples.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Your brand should be distinctive, valued and stand for something.

The New York Times

Trying to define that distinctive value base, he said that the United States was "a country that values family and friendship, a place where people learn values and character".

The New York Times

Ronald Inglehart, a professor of political science at the University of Michigan, writes, "The fact that a society was historically Protestant or Orthodox or Islamic or Confucian gives rise to cultural zones with highly distinctive value systems that persist when we control for the effects of economic development".

The New York Times - Arts

Rather than attempting a comprehensive treatment of the subject, the privacy essayist identifies a distinctive value that privacy protects (ranging from dignity and autonomy to intimacy and friendship) and defends its value by using concrete examples and anecdotes from daily life.

The New York Times - Books

So had an Italian Marxist, Antonio Gramsci, and a British socialist, H.G. Wells, who had both argued that America's unique origins had produced a distinctive value system and unusual politics.Lovestone was purged, but his argument still has force: America is exceptional partly because it is peculiar.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When emphasizing what makes an organization or group stand out, use "distinctive values" to highlight core principles that differentiate it.

Common error

Avoid using "distinctive values" when describing common or widely shared values. Reserve it for situations where the values truly set something apart.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "distinctive values" functions as a noun phrase, where "distinctive" modifies "values". It serves to identify and emphasize the unique or characteristic principles and beliefs that set something apart, as demonstrated in examples from Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "distinctive values" is grammatically correct and serves to highlight unique principles or beliefs. According to Ludwig, it is most commonly found in News & Media and Science sources and can be used to emphasize what sets an organization or group apart. While accurate, overuse in generic contexts should be avoided. Consider alternatives like "unique principles" or "defining traits" for variety. Overall, as Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is suitable for describing specific and differentiating attributes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unique principles

Emphasizes individuality and lack of similarity to others.

singular beliefs

Highlights the uniqueness and peculiarity of beliefs.

characteristic attributes

Focuses on the typical and recognizable features that define something.

defining traits

Stresses the features that are essential and formative.

specific ideals

Highlights the particular and precise nature of the values.

peculiar virtues

Emphasizes the unusual and notable qualities or merits.

individual merits

Focuses on the separate and unique advantages or qualities.

particular strengths

Highlights specific and unique capabilities or advantages.

distinguishing features

Focuses on elements that set something apart from others.

differentiating qualities

Highlights attributes that create a contrast with other things.

FAQs

How can I use "distinctive values" in a sentence?

You can use "distinctive values" to describe the unique principles or beliefs of an organization, culture, or individual. For example: "The company's distinctive values are reflected in its commitment to sustainability."

What are some alternatives to "distinctive values"?

Alternatives include "unique principles", "singular beliefs", or "defining traits", depending on the specific context.

Are "distinctive values" the same as "core values"?

While both terms refer to important principles, "core values" often represent fundamental beliefs shared widely within an organization. "Distinctive values", on the other hand, emphasize what sets an entity apart from others.

Is it correct to say "a distinctive value"?

While grammatically correct, "a distinctive value" is less common than "distinctive values", which usually refers to a set of unique principles. The singular form is appropriate when referring to one particularly distinguishing attribute. For example the privacy essayist identifies a "distinctive value" that privacy protects.