distinguished them

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "distinguished them" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of recognizing or identifying differences or notable qualities in a group of people or things. Example: "The unique features of their designs distinguished them from their competitors in the market."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(i) is the basic feature that distinguished states of affairs from facts; (ii) is the basic feature that distinguished them from thoughts.

SEP

Kepler himself never numbered these laws or specially distinguished them from his other discoveries.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This strategy of resistance distinguished them from the Pop Art generation that came before.

Independent

Hedge-fund managers once talked about a "special skill-set" that distinguished them from mere fund managers.

The Economist

Here you have this case study in which these guys looked the same, their Bertillon measurements were the same, and fingerprints distinguished them.

The New York Times

Showing great solidarity and organizational talents, working hard, and raising socioeconomic standards, Prussian Poles developed characteristics that distinguished them from their countrymen under Russian or Austrian rule.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The shape of the small braincase distinguished them from the more primitive Australopithecus genus, which preceded Homo and lived for many centuries with Homo in Africa.

The New York Times - Science

Priests who abused minors have no particular "psychological characteristics," "developmental histories" or mood disorders that distinguished them from priests who had not abused, the researchers found.

The New York Times

Each also wore the gold badge that distinguished them as guardians of the pentagonal mini-city that receives 25,000 people a day.

The New York Times

Mostly, though, Breyer and O'Connor shared a judicial disposition — pragmatic, improvisational — that distinguished them from their more rule-based colleagues, including Scalia and Ginsburg.

The New Yorker

Over time, two landscape art markets evolved as well, and part of what distinguished them was the old Lake George question of what was seen and not seen.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "distinguished them", ensure the context clearly specifies the characteristics or criteria used for differentiation.

Common error

Avoid using "distinguished them" without clearly specifying what aspects set the subjects apart. Be specific to provide clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "distinguished them" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of recognizing or establishing differences between entities. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

32%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "distinguished them" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote the act of setting entities apart based on specific qualities. Ludwig AI indicates the expression is correct and usable in various contexts. Found across diverse sources, including science, news, and encyclopedias, it maintains a neutral to formal tone. When employing this phrase, be precise in outlining the differentiating characteristics to ensure clarity. Alternatives like "set them apart" or "differentiated them" offer similar meanings, adaptable to specific nuances. Proper usage avoids vague or undefined distinctions, enhancing communication effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

set them apart

Focuses on creating a separation, highlighting uniqueness.

differentiated them

Highlights the act of identifying specific differences.

marked them as distinct

Emphasizes clear and noticeable differences.

singled them out

Highlights a specific selection based on notable characteristics.

made them unique

Focuses on achieving a state of unparalleled quality.

identified them

Highlights recognition or discovery of specific attributes.

separated them

Stresses the act of creating distance or disassociation.

classified them

Highlights a system of categorization based on shared characteristics.

distinguished between them

Emphasizes comparison of differences and the creation of a separation.

contrasted them

Focuses on the act of comparing to highlight the differences.

FAQs

How can I use "distinguished them" in a sentence?

Use "distinguished them" to show how certain qualities or attributes set a group or set of items apart from others. For example, "Their innovative designs "distinguished them" from competitors".

What is a good alternative to "distinguished them"?

Alternatives include "set them apart", "differentiated them", or "made them unique", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How does "distinguished them" differ from "separated them"?

"Distinguished them" focuses on recognizing unique qualities, while "separated them" emphasizes a physical or conceptual division. For example, "Their talent "distinguished them" from others", versus "The wall separated them".

Is it better to use "distinguished them" or "differentiated them"?

Both are correct, but "distinguished them" often implies a more positive or notable difference, while "differentiated them" is a more neutral term for noting differences.