hallmark of civilization

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hallmark of civilization" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a characteristic or feature that is considered a defining quality of a civilized society. Example: "The establishment of a legal system is often seen as a hallmark of civilization, reflecting the values and norms of a society."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Its genius has been to accommodate due process, liberty, and safety in an equilibrium which is the hallmark of civilization.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

These hallmarks of civilization originate from a period of relative climatic stability that is less than 6% of our time on Earth.

The Guardian

This sort of risk-taking is a hallmark of contemporary civilization.

The New York Times - Magazine

Sometimes it does this well and sometimes badly, but the struggle itself is the hallmark of a civilization far beyond Peter Beinart's Manichaean ­simplicities.

The New York Times - Books

In the middle of this century, we reached a new understanding of the city that emphasized the importance of individual choices in the past and made the advocacy of lifestyle choices a hallmark of American civilization.

Johns Hopkins University

Homer was the hallmark of that civilization.

Huffington Post

It's a hallmark of improving civilization to give more people access to a more complex network of interactions, because they are safe, they have good norms of behavior and trust each other, they have clear laws well enforced, they have access to basic services.

Huffington Post

It is the hallmark of civil unrest.

Huffington Post

aHere the term East is being used to refer to the diversified but traditional social values and norms upheld by traditional societies; the hallmark of traditional Civilizations.

Bandung: Journal of the Global South

The fact of the matter is that Roman Catholic Christianity (also Orthodox Christianity, and some forms of Protestantism) cannot be reconciled with the expressive individualism that is the hallmark of late modern civilization … there never was a possibility for a Catholic moment in America.

The New York Times

One hallmark of the history of civilization is an ever-increasing exploitation of ecosystem services coupled with substitution of technology for these services, particularly where ecosystems have been exploited beyond their ability to provide.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "hallmark of civilization", ensure that the characteristic you are describing is genuinely representative of advanced societal development and not merely a feature of a specific culture or time period.

Common error

Avoid using "hallmark of civilization" to describe aspects that are specific to certain cultures or time periods. The phrase should denote something universally associated with advanced societies, not localized customs.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hallmark of civilization" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a defining or distinctive characteristic of a civilized society. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, highlighting its role in describing fundamental aspects of societal development.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hallmark of civilization" is a noun phrase used to describe a defining characteristic of an advanced society. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and notes its usage across various reputable sources. Although not exceptionally common, it is consistently applied in formal and neutral contexts, such as news media, scientific publications, and academic writings. When employing this phrase, ensure that the attributed characteristic genuinely reflects a key aspect of societal development. While alternatives exist, the phrase retains a distinct emphasis on the fundamental qualities of civilized societies.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

defining characteristic of a civilized society

This alternative directly replaces "hallmark" with "defining characteristic" and "civilization" with "civilized society", making it more explicit.

key feature of civilization

Replaces "hallmark" with "key feature", emphasizing importance but slightly reducing the sense of distinctiveness.

indicator of civilized progress

Shifts the focus to progress and uses "indicator" instead of "hallmark", implying a sign or measure of advancement.

benchmark of societal advancement

Replaces "civilization" with "societal advancement", creating a formal register.

distinguishing trait of a developed culture

Substitutes "hallmark" with "distinguishing trait", highlighting uniqueness, and replaces "civilization" with "developed culture".

a sign of cultural refinement

Focuses specifically on cultural refinement as an aspect of civilization.

an attribute of advanced societies

Uses "attribute" instead of "hallmark" and "advanced societies" for "civilization", offering a broader perspective.

a measure of societal maturity

Focuses on the maturity aspect of civilization, using "measure" instead of "hallmark".

a testament to civilized values

Highlights the values that underpin civilization.

evidence of societal complexity

Emphasizes the complex structure of civilization.

FAQs

How can I use "hallmark of civilization" in a sentence?

You can use "hallmark of civilization" to describe a defining characteristic of an advanced society. For example, "The establishment of a legal system is often considered a "hallmark of civilization"".

What are some alternatives to "hallmark of civilization"?

Alternatives include "defining characteristic of a civilized society", "key feature of civilization", or "indicator of civilized progress".

Is it appropriate to use "hallmark of civilization" in casual conversation?

While grammatically correct, "hallmark of civilization" is more suited for formal writing or discussions. In casual conversation, simpler phrases might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "hallmark of civilization" and "sign of progress"?

"Hallmark of civilization" refers to a defining characteristic of an advanced society, while "sign of progress" indicates any advancement, not necessarily related to civilization. For example, the invention of the printing press could be considered a "sign of progress", but a just legal system is considered a "hallmark of civilization".