hallmark of life

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hallmark of life" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a characteristic or feature that is indicative of life or living organisms. Example: "The ability to adapt to changing environments is often considered a hallmark of life."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Thirstiness is a universal hallmark of life.

The New York Times - Science

In fact, the hallmark of life after junior high seemed to be the shedding of popularity as a central concern.

The New Yorker

Diverse backgrounds, beliefs and perspectives are a hallmark of life at Duke, an integral part of a liberal arts experience, of your experience.

Duke University

Hoke says that this constant mental churning is a hallmark of life with Mangano.

Los Angeles Times

Whatever the reason, the idea of aging as a universal hallmark of life, even affecting bacteria, was considered but dismissed in the 1950s and 1960s [ 8– 13].

BMC Biology

It was the discovery of aging in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe [ 14], which divides apparently symmetrically by binary fission like many bacteria, and then the discovery of aging in the asymmetrically dividing bacterium Caulobacter crescentus [ 15] that rejuvenated the idea that aging may be a universal hallmark of life.

BMC Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Others (e.g., Magnus 1978) take Nietzsche's idea of eternal recurrence (the hallmark of life-affirmation, as noted above) as the criterion of a well-lived life: perfection is a matter of living in such a way that one is ready to gladly will the repetition of one's life, in all its particulars, in to eternity.

SEP

It's chilling to think that the city is heading toward prohibitions of free movement, reasonable congregating and spontaneous entertainment -- the hallmarks of life in New York City.

The New York Times

It was a rare moment of adulation for Mr. Arafat, whose popularity has been eroded by the hardships and corruption that have been hallmarks of life under the rule of his Palestinian Authority in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

The New York Times

But the agreement has become caught up in a larger debate over the role of the military here -- both El Salvador's own and that of the United States -- in fighting organized crime and drug trafficking in a country where murder, kidnapping and drug-related crime have become hallmarks of life since the peace accords ended the civil war eight years ago.

The New York Times

These nets bear the hallmarks of life rafts in the making, but the group couldn't be sure.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hallmark of life", ensure that the characteristic you are describing is fundamental and widely recognized as indicative of living organisms or the state of being alive.

Common error

Avoid using "hallmark of life" to describe traits that are merely common or frequently observed but not essential or defining characteristics of life. Stick to fundamental attributes like reproduction, metabolism, or adaptation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hallmark of life" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or appositive. Ludwig examples show it defining attributes considered essential to life, agreeing with Ludwig AI that it is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

43%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hallmark of life" is a grammatically correct and semantically rich expression used to denote a defining characteristic or attribute of living organisms. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is appropriate for use in formal, scientific, and journalistic contexts. While not extremely common, its usage is consistent across various authoritative sources, particularly in science and news media. It is crucial to use it accurately, ensuring that the identified trait is indeed fundamental to life, as superficial traits are not appropriate. Alternatives include "defining characteristic of life" and "key attribute of life".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Defining characteristic of life

Replaces "hallmark" with a more descriptive term while retaining the core meaning.

Distinguishing feature of life

Emphasizes the unique and identifiable nature of the characteristic.

Key attribute of life

Highlights the importance of the characteristic in defining life.

Essential element of life

Focuses on the necessity of the characteristic for life to exist.

Fundamental aspect of life

Indicates a basic and foundational characteristic of life.

Characteristic trait of life

Uses "trait" to specify a quality or attribute.

Typical feature of life

Suggests that the feature is commonly observed in living things.

Mark of living organisms

Shifts the focus to living organisms instead of life in abstract.

Sign of vitality

Highlights the energetic and dynamic aspects of life.

Criterion for life

Specifies that the characteristic can be used as a standard for determining if something is alive.

FAQs

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

You can use "hallmark of life" to describe a defining characteristic of living organisms, such as "Adaptation is a "hallmark of life"".

What are some alternatives to "hallmark of life"?

Alternatives include "defining characteristic of life", "distinguishing feature of life", or "key attribute of life".

Is there a difference between "hallmark of life" and "characteristic of life"?

"Hallmark of life" implies a more definitive and essential attribute, while "characteristic of life" is a broader term encompassing any typical feature. A hallmark is a key characteristic.

What makes a trait a "hallmark of life"?

A trait becomes a "hallmark of life" when it's fundamental to the existence and functioning of living organisms, such as metabolism or reproduction. Superficial traits don't qualify.