each defining characteristic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "each defining characteristic" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing specific traits or features that distinguish something or someone from others. Example: "Each defining characteristic of the species plays a crucial role in its survival and adaptation to the environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

After collecting the data, weighted scores (WS) were calculated for each defining characteristic.

Kontakt

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

We've been taught to think of tragic figures as each having a defining characteristic that serves ultimately to undo him: Macbeth's ambition, Othello's jealousy and so on.

The New York Times - Magazine

In addition to its directed labeled graph nature, RDF formats[29] have a second defining characteristic: each of the three elements has a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI), which, for the purposes of this very brief introduction, can be thought as a unique locator capable of directing an application to the desired content or service.

Plosone

Art historians have attempted to document this flux by identifying a series of seismic shifts in aesthetics and attaching to each its defining characteristics.

Huffington Post

The defining characteristic of each finalist this season has been its prolific offense.

The New York Times - Sports

But the criteria for mating are anything but erotic, emotional, impulsive: for some reason (and no such reason is given), the inmates assign to themselves a "defining characteristic," and each characteristic is hopelessly bland and dull.

The New Yorker

The main defining characteristic of each type of hand plane is size.

WikiHow

Travel is a defining characteristic.

The New York Times

"The real defining characteristic is education.

The New York Times - Magazine

Borukhova's otherness was her defining characteristic.

The New Yorker

It had no ornament, no defining characteristic.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "each defining characteristic", ensure that you clearly articulate what makes the characteristic 'defining'. Provide specific examples or explanations to illustrate its importance.

Common error

Avoid using "each defining characteristic" without providing specific details. The phrase loses its impact if the defining characteristics are not clearly identified or explained.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "each defining characteristic" functions as a determiner followed by a noun phrase. It refers to specific and important qualities or features that are essential to the identity or nature of something, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

25%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "each defining characteristic" is used to emphasize the individual traits that are crucial to the identity or nature of something. While grammatically correct and usable, as confirmed by Ludwig, its frequency is relatively rare. It appears more commonly in news, science, and general contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that you clearly identify and explain what makes each characteristic 'defining' to avoid vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

every key attribute

Replaces "defining characteristic" with a more general term for a quality or feature.

each essential feature

Substitutes "defining" with "essential" and "characteristic" with "feature" to emphasize importance.

every fundamental aspect

Replaces "characteristic" with "aspect" to highlight a part or element.

each core element

Uses "core element" instead of "defining characteristic" to focus on foundational components.

every unique trait

Highlights the distinctiveness of each characteristic.

each primary quality

Replaces "defining" with "primary" and "characteristic" with "quality" to denote importance.

every distinctive property

Focuses on the unique properties that set something apart.

each significant attribute

Emphasizes the importance of the attributes.

every crucial component

Highlights the critical components that define something.

each intrinsic feature

Focuses on the inherent qualities of something.

FAQs

How can I use "each defining characteristic" in a sentence?

You can use "each defining characteristic" to emphasize the importance of individual traits that define something. For example, "Each defining characteristic of the species plays a crucial role in its survival."

What are some alternatives to using "each defining characteristic"?

You can use alternatives like "every key attribute", "each essential feature", or "each core element" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "defining characteristics" or "key characteristics"?

Both "defining characteristics" and "key characteristics" are correct, but "defining characteristics" implies that these traits are essential to the identity or nature of something. "Key characteristics" simply highlights important traits.

What makes a characteristic 'defining'?

A 'defining' characteristic is a trait or feature that is essential for identifying or understanding something. It's a primary aspect that distinguishes it from others.