is characteristic of

USAGE SUMMARY

"is characteristic of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is typical or expected of a certain thing or situation. For example: "The presence of a sense of humor is characteristic of comedians."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Oligoclase is characteristic of granodiorites and monzonites.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Such an arrangement is characteristic of frogs.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That parenthesis is characteristic of Enright's narrator.

The Guardian - Books

That is characteristic of a great masterpiece".

The Guardian

This is characteristic of those four bunkers.

The Guardian

Such optimism is characteristic of the industry.

The Guardian

That erosion is characteristic of industry trends.

The New York Times

This is characteristic of his book.

The New York Times - Books

Such diamagnetic behavior is characteristic of superconductivity.

Nature

This is characteristic of many (all?) Blechnaceae.

Cornell University

All this is characteristic of Stewart's unorthodox thinking.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is characteristic of" to highlight traits that are consistently observed within a specific context or subject. For instance, "Patience is characteristic of effective teachers."

Common error

Avoid using "is characteristic of" to describe one-time events or anomalies. It's more appropriate for recurring patterns or inherent qualities. For example, instead of saying "That outburst is characteristic of him" (if it's unusual), consider "That outburst is uncharacteristic of him" or "That outburst doesn't reflect his usual behavior."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is characteristic of" serves as a linking verb connecting a subject with a predicate adjective or noun phrase that describes a typical or distinguishing quality. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

28%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Academia

9%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is characteristic of" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to describe traits or features that are typical or representative of a subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely applicable across varied contexts, but predominantly in scientific, academic, and journalistic domains. While phrases like "is typical of" or "is indicative of" offer similar meanings, "is characteristic of" emphasizes a defining quality. When writing, ensure this phrase is used for recurring patterns or inherent attributes, rather than one-off occurrences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is typical of

Slightly more general; implies commonness rather than a defining trait.

is indicative of

Emphasizes that something serves as a sign or indication.

is representative of

Suggests something exemplifies a larger group or category.

is distinctive of

Highlights unique and easily recognizable qualities.

is a hallmark of

Implies something is a defining and recognizable feature.

is peculiar to

Indicates something is unique or specific to a particular thing.

is inherent in

Suggests something is an essential part or attribute.

is intrinsic to

Similar to 'inherent', emphasizing an essential, built-in quality.

is defined by

Focuses on what constitutes the very nature of something.

is typified by

Highlights that something is a prime example or instance.

FAQs

How can I use "is characteristic of" in a sentence?

Use "is characteristic of" to describe a quality or trait that is typical or commonly associated with a particular subject. For example, "Attention to detail is characteristic of successful surgeons".

What are some alternatives to "is characteristic of"?

You can use alternatives such as "is typical of", "is indicative of", or "is representative of" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "is characteristic of" and "is typical of"?

"Is characteristic of" emphasizes a defining or distinguishing trait, whereas "is typical of" simply implies commonness or usual occurrence. The first one is more strong than the second.

Is it correct to say "are characteristic of" instead of "is characteristic of"?

Yes, use "are characteristic of" when referring to plural subjects. For example, "Strong communication skills are characteristic of effective leaders".