has no counterpart

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has no counterpart" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something does not have an equivalent or matching counterpart in another context or situation. Example: "In this unique cultural practice, the ritual has no counterpart in Western traditions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It has no counterpart in the Eastern churches.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It has no counterpart in any other literature of the world, for children or adults".

The New Yorker

The American Negro is a unique creation; he has no counterpart anywhere, and no predecessors.

The New Yorker

Chase's retail banking division, which has no counterpart at Morgan, is unlikely to be affected.

The New York Times

The phenomenon of tunneling, which has no counterpart in classical physics, is an important consequence of quantum mechanics.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Further, Iranian has a third person pronoun di (accusative dim) that has no counterpart in Indo-Aryan.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But that 1930s state-of-the-art communications system obviously has no counterpart aboard today's moored ship, which is managed by a boutique hotel company.

The New York Times

Confucianism, a Western term that has no counterpart in Chinese, is a worldview, a social ethic, a political ideology, a scholarly tradition, and a way of life.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The symbolic power that the centrifugal character of Ann lends "Villa Amalia" has no counterpart in the centripetal convergence of affinity onto the sisters, their family, their town.

The New Yorker

It has no counterpart in China, where even the most aggressive media outlets stop short of raising unfavorable questions about the dealings of top officials or their children.

The New York Times

Moore's Law, which offers a yardstick for the exponential advances in computer chips, has no counterpart in the world of batteries.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has no counterpart", ensure the context clearly defines what is being compared and why the subject lacks a corresponding element. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "has no counterpart" when a similar, though not identical, element exists. The phrase implies a complete absence of anything comparable, not just a lack of perfect similarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has no counterpart" functions as a predicate within a sentence. It describes the subject by stating that it lacks a corresponding or equivalent item or concept. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase indicates that something doesn't have an equivalent or matching counterpart.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

53%

News & Media

28%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has no counterpart" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate the absence of a direct equivalent or match. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, though most common in science, news, and encyclopedia contexts. While alternatives exist, like ""has no equivalent"" or ""is unparalleled"", this phrase provides a clear and concise way to emphasize the uniqueness of a subject.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has no equivalent

Very close in meaning, it simply states there is no equivalent.

lacks an equivalent

This phrase explicitly indicates the absence of an equivalent, focusing on the lack of a corresponding item or concept.

has no match

This option implies the absence of something that can be paired or considered equal in comparison.

is unmatched

This alternative directly states that something has no equal or equivalent, emphasizing its singularity in a specific context.

is unparalleled

Similar to "is without parallel", this phrase highlights the unmatched nature of something, focusing on its superior quality or distinction.

is without parallel

This alternative emphasizes the uniqueness of something, suggesting it cannot be matched in terms of quality or achievement. It implies something outstanding and exceptional.

is unprecedented

Indicates that something has never occurred before, thus lacking any prior example or parallel.

stands alone

This alternative emphasizes the solitary nature of something, implying it has no similar or related entities.

is singular

Highlights individuality of the subject.

is unique

Focuses on distinctiveness and originality, suggesting there isn't anything else like it.

FAQs

How can I use "has no counterpart" in a sentence?

Use "has no counterpart" to indicate that something does not have a direct equivalent or match in a particular context. For example, "This specific legal precedent "has no counterpart" in international law".

What phrases are similar to "has no counterpart"?

Similar phrases include "has no equivalent", "is unparalleled", and "lacks an equivalent". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "has no counterpart" or "is unique"?

"Has no counterpart" specifically means there's no direct equivalent, whereas "is unique" simply means something is one-of-a-kind. If you want to emphasize the lack of a matching item or concept, use "has no counterpart"; if you want to highlight the distinctiveness, use "is unique".

Can "has no counterpart" be used in both formal and informal writing?

Yes, "has no counterpart" is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very informal settings, you might opt for simpler alternatives like "has no match", depending on your audience.