distinguishes itself

USAGE SUMMARY

"distinguishes itself" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or thing that stands out from its peers because of a specific quality. For example, "The company distinguished itself by offering superior customer service."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But on its own terms, Allegretti distinguishes itself admirably.

The New York Times - Food

But The Lady from Dubuque distinguishes itself in two ways.

The Guardian - Books

VOLTA NEW YORK distinguishes itself by featuring solo artist projects.

The New York Times

But I'm taking objective note of ways in which it indeed distinguishes itself from other restaurants.

The New York Times

In a city at risk of fried-chicken fatigue, Bobwhite distinguishes itself.

The New Yorker

Elixir distinguishes itself by marrying the medicinal with the hyper-stylish.

The New York Times - Style

This version, however, distinguishes itself by avoiding deeper meaning or exculpatory explanations.

The New York Times - Arts

But where it distinguishes itself is in its castigation of the workings of the ISC.

The Guardian - Opinion

InsWeb distinguishes itself by providing customers with comparative prices for insurance from several companies.

The New York Times

Psychoanalysis distinguishes itself by insisting on the individuality of each person's meanings.

The New York Times - Books

"One Tree Hill" distinguishes itself by what it is not: a trust-fund soap.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "distinguishes itself" when you want to highlight a specific, positive attribute that makes something stand out from others in its category.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that something "distinguishes itself" without providing specific details or evidence to support the claim. Show how it is different and superior.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "distinguishes itself" functions as a reflexive verb phrase, where the subject is both performing and receiving the action. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It highlights a unique quality or characteristic that sets the subject apart from others.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "distinguishes itself" is a grammatically sound and frequently used reflexive verb phrase that highlights the unique attributes of a subject. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and demonstrates its prevalence across diverse contexts, including News & Media and Scientific writing. When using this phrase, it's crucial to provide specific details to support the claim of uniqueness. Alternatives like ""sets itself apart"" or ""makes itself unique"" can offer subtle shifts in meaning, but the core function remains the same: emphasizing what makes something special.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sets itself apart

This alternative emphasizes the act of intentionally creating a difference.

makes itself unique

This alternative highlights the creation of uniqueness.

differentiates itself

This alternative focuses on identifying differences.

establishes its individuality

This emphasizes the creation of a separate and distinct identity.

carves out a niche for itself

This alternative implies a more competitive environment where the subject secures a specific position.

rises above the rest

This alternative suggests a superior quality or performance.

excels in comparison

This alternative directly points to superior performance when compared to others.

asserts its distinctiveness

This alternative suggests a confident and deliberate display of unique qualities.

demonstrates its superiority

This alternative indicates that subject is better than all similar others.

stands out from the crowd

This alternative emphasizes visibility and recognition among many.

FAQs

How can I use "distinguishes itself" in a sentence?

You can use "distinguishes itself" to emphasize the unique qualities of a subject. For example: "The restaurant "distinguishes itself" with its locally sourced ingredients."

What are some alternatives to "distinguishes itself"?

Some alternatives include "sets itself apart", "makes itself unique", or "differentiates itself", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say something "distinguishes themselves"?

No, if the subject is singular, the reflexive pronoun must be "itself". Use "themselves" only for plural subjects (e.g., "The companies distinguish themselves through innovation").

What's the difference between "distinguishes itself" and ""sets itself apart""?

"Sets itself apart" implies a more active and deliberate effort to create a unique identity, whereas ""distinguishes itself"" simply highlights existing differences.