identifying trait

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "identifying trait" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a characteristic or feature that helps to distinguish or recognize someone or something. Example: "Her kindness is an identifying trait that sets her apart from others in the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Regionalism is another identifying trait of the festival, its most reliably rewarding.

The New York Times - Arts

Mainstream tastes are dutifully addressed at Austin City Limits, but Regionalism is also an identifying trait of the festival.

The New York Times

This is an orchestra that does not strive for lushness, as many American ensembles do, or for a particular woodwind or string timbre, which is an identifying trait of certain central European orchestras.

The New York Times

Future work could focus on identifying trait predictors of biotype, rather than time-varying features such as headache days per month.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

The other identifying trait of an Ac/Ds element is the target site duplication (TSD).

BMC Genomics

Our simulations showed that GEMOT is superior to these methods in identifying trait groups that share the same underlying transcripts.

eLife

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Other identifying traits?

The Guardian - Opinion

How odd to find details about Mother's nose as identifying traits.

The New Yorker

The company's Clear service required members' fingerprints, iris scans and other identifying traits.

The New York Times

People just blurt out their identifying traits; the dialogue is so blunt that it's a little embarrassing.

The New Yorker

And what are the identifying traits of a Steve Cotterill team?

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a complex subject, begin by listing the key "identifying traits" to provide immediate clarity for your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "identifying trait" when a simpler term like "characteristic" or "feature" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "identifying trait" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective 'identifying' modifies the noun 'trait'. It specifies a characteristic that is used to recognize or distinguish something. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

64%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "identifying trait" is a grammatically sound and usable English phrase employed to describe a characteristic that distinguishes an entity. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While not extremely common, it finds use across scientific and news domains. When writing, it's beneficial to consider simpler alternatives like "characteristic" or "feature" to avoid unnecessary formality. Key related phrases include "distinctive characteristic" and "defining feature". The phrase's function is primarily to classify and differentiate, maintaining a neutral to formal tone. Remember, while the phrase is useful, context dictates the best choice for clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

distinctive characteristic

Focuses on a characteristic that sets something apart from others.

defining feature

Emphasizes a feature that is crucial in defining something.

identifying marker

Highlights a marker that serves to identify something.

hallmark attribute

Highlights an attribute widely recognized as a sign of something.

key characteristic

Indicates a characteristic of significant importance.

characteristic attribute

It's a slightly more formal way of saying "identifying trait".

typical quality

Stresses a quality that is commonly associated with something.

unique feature

Highlights a feature that is unlike any other.

distinguishing mark

Points to a mark that sets something apart visually or conceptually.

signature trait

Suggests a trait so distinctive it acts as a signature.

FAQs

What does "identifying trait" mean?

An "identifying trait" is a characteristic or feature that helps to recognize or distinguish someone or something. It's a quality that stands out and makes identification easier.

How can I use "identifying trait" in a sentence?

You might say, "Regionalism is an "identifying trait" of the Austin City Limits festival." Or, "Honesty is an "identifying trait" of an ethical person."

What are some alternatives to "identifying trait"?

Some alternatives include "distinctive characteristic", "defining feature", or "key characteristic", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "identifying trait" or "characteristic trait"?

"Identifying trait" emphasizes the role of the trait in recognizing or distinguishing something. "Characteristic trait" is a broader term, simply indicating a typical feature. The best choice depends on whether you want to highlight the trait's role in identification.