distinctive with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "distinctive with" is not correct or usable in written English.
You could use the phrase "distinctive for" instead. For example: "The restaurant is distinctive for its unique and exotic fusion cuisine."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Baiko-Tei's window is distinctive, with English written on it.

The New York Times - Travel

The motor home was distinctive with kangaroo decals and an orange stripe on each side.

The New York Times

Rita Hills Clos Pepe 2007 $55 ** Distinctive with great purity and minerality yet immense and hot.

The New York Times

Both of these are highly distinctive with long paddle-shaped snouts.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And I want to try to make it distinctive with a little artistic twist in it.

The New York Times

"We want this city to be distinctive with an active urban edge," said the division's general manager, Don Miskell.

The Guardian

Some industry executives wondered if ABC was trying to be too distinctive with its shows, almost imitating HBO.

The New York Times

Her portraits are highly individualistic; the relationships they depict are psychologically distinctive, with all kinds of subtle tensions.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Dangler described the sweater as distinctive, with a pattern of blue and black triangles on a light-blue background.

The New York Times

Maybe it's just too distinctive, with its ability to summon up mango and pineapple, cut with pink grapefruit.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Everyone at Harvard knows him — charismatic and distinctive with his impeccable suits and cane, the result of a longtime disability.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing unique attributes, use "distinctive for" or "distinctive due to" for clearer and grammatically sound construction. For example, instead of saying "The building is distinctive with its red roof", write "The building is distinctive for its red roof."

Common error

Avoid using "with" after "distinctive" to prevent grammatical errors. "Distinctive" requires prepositions like "for" or "due to" to properly connect the characteristic feature.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "distinctive with" functions as an adjective phrase, aiming to describe a unique attribute of a noun. However, according to Ludwig AI, this construction is grammatically questionable, suggesting more appropriate alternatives like "distinctive for."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "distinctive with" is frequently encountered across various sources, including news, science, and encyclopedias. However, Ludwig AI identifies this phrase as grammatically incorrect, suggesting alternatives like "distinctive for" or "distinctive due to" for improved clarity and grammatical accuracy. While its purpose is to highlight unique characteristics, it is advisable to use more conventional phrasing, especially in formal writing, to maintain grammatical correctness and precision. Although widely used, especially in news and media, relying on phrases like "distinctive for" enhances writing quality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

distinctive for

Replaces "with" to indicate the characteristic that makes something unique.

distinctive due to

Indicates that the distinctiveness is a result of something.

distinguished by

Focuses on specific attributes that set something apart.

notable for

Highlights the noteworthy qualities.

unique because of

Emphasizes the reason for uniqueness.

characterized by

Describes something based on its main traits.

identified by

Focuses on recognition through specific traits.

defined by

Specifies essential qualities that constitute its distinctiveness.

known for

Highlights the popular or widely recognized characteristics.

peculiar for

Emphasizes an odd or unusual characteristic.

FAQs

What's a more grammatically correct alternative to "distinctive with"?

Use alternatives such as "distinctive for" or "distinctive due to" for better clarity and grammatical correctness.

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

You can use "distinctive for" to highlight a specific characteristic. For example, "This region is distinctive for its unique biodiversity."

Is "distinctive with" considered grammatically correct in formal writing?

No, "distinctive with" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's better to use "distinctive for" or other similar alternatives in formal writing.

What makes "distinctive for" a better choice than "distinctive with"?

"Distinctive for" clearly indicates the attribute that sets something apart, providing a more direct and grammatically sound connection between the subject and its unique characteristic, compared to the less conventional "distinctive with".