it is characteristic for

USAGE SUMMARY

That part of the sentence is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something, or to describe an action that a person might take: It is characteristic for him to always put others before himself.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

It is characteristic, for example, that where there is music, it is not so much the sound as the cessation of sound that underlines the climactic moments.

The Economist

It is characteristic for handheld devices and their users that they are continuously moving in several simultaneous fuzzy contexts.

Interacting with Computers

It is characteristic for creep of steel and metals that ɛcr for stress states of engineering importance depends nonlinearly on stress and most often a power law is adopted.

The Mechanics of Constitutive Modeling

Because it is characteristic for PLOT chromatograms to have reproducible blank retention time windows, segments of a DB-1 trace are produced by the auxiliary flow program aligning perfectly in time with the gaps of the PLOT trace.

Journal of Chromatography A

We also disregard approaches that apply a modified training method to conventional HMMs without exhibiting a distinct compensation step, as it is characteristic for, e.g., discriminative [28], multi-condition [29], or reverberant training [30].

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

If the set of algebraic values is bi-partitioned, falsity is identified with the complement of D. Now, it is characteristic for falsity to be preserved in the reverse direction, i.e., from the conclusion(s) to at least one of the premises.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

It's characteristic for people who've been through chemo to experience a sense of euphoria at the end, and that was certainly true in my case: I felt like Dennis Potter when he was talking about the blossomy-ness of the blossom.

The Guardian - Books

He complained that it was characteristic for Hana's kitchen to be full of expensive equipment although she lived on takeaway; he told me that he ate only organic food, that he cycled fifty miles every weekend, and that he'd designed and built himself a loft studio in the house he was leaving, but didn't begrudge the loss of it, because he was always moving on and looking forward.

The New Yorker

Flow index of sawdust was characteristic for cohesive/easy flowing materials while it was characteristic for cohesive materials in the case of woodchips.

Fuel

It was characteristic for empirical work in the colonies to be regarded at least by researchers within elite Western institutions as providing raw material for analytical work in the metropole.

Bulletin of the History of Medicine

Though the end of the Palaeocene was an extreme example, it is characteristic of such transitions for the pattern of life to change quickly.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is characteristic for", ensure that the subject you are describing is clearly defined and that the characteristic you are attributing to it is well-supported by evidence or context. This helps avoid ambiguity and strengthens your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "it is characteristic for" to make sweeping generalizations. Ensure the characteristic truly applies across the board and not just in specific instances, as misattributing qualities can weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is characteristic for" functions as a descriptor, attributing a typical trait, behavior, or feature to a subject. It sets expectations or defines what is commonly associated with the subject, which is supported by Ludwig's analysis.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

64%

News & Media

20%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is characteristic for" is a descriptor used to attribute traits or behaviors to a subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English. While commonly found in scientific, news, and encyclopedia sources, this phrase maintains a neutral to formal register. To enhance clarity and avoid misattributions, it's best to ensure the characteristic accurately represents the subject in question. Related phrases like "it is typical of" offer semantic alternatives, though each carries its own unique nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is typical of

Changes the adjective from "characteristic" to "typical", emphasizing commonness and expected behavior.

it is indicative of

Replaces "characteristic" with "indicative", suggesting that something serves as a sign or symptom.

it is representative of

Shifts the focus to something being a model or example, replacing "characteristic" with "representative".

it is distinctive of

Using "distinctive" highlights unique qualities, providing a stronger emphasis on specific traits.

it is particular to

Implies exclusivity or specificity, with "particular" focusing on a limited scope.

it is unique to

Emphasizes that something is exclusively associated with a particular subject or entity, making it stand out.

it is a trait of

Focuses specifically on identifying a certain quality or attribute, using "trait" to describe a feature.

it is in keeping with

Suggests consistency with expected behavior or qualities, moving away from direct characteristics.

it is befitting of

Implies appropriateness or suitability, focusing on fitting a certain standard rather than just describing a characteristic.

it is attributable to

Indicates causation or association, where a characteristic is linked to a specific cause or source.

FAQs

How can I use "it is characteristic for" in a sentence?

You can use "it is characteristic for" to describe a typical trait or behavior of a subject. For instance, "It is characteristic for dogs to bark when they sense danger."

What phrases are similar to "it is characteristic for"?

Alternatives include "it is typical of", "it is indicative of", or "it is representative of", each carrying slightly different nuances.

Is there a more formal way to say "it is characteristic for"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "it is indicative of" or "it is a hallmark of", which are often preferred in academic or professional contexts.

How do I avoid misusing "it is characteristic for"?

Ensure that the trait you're attributing is genuinely representative and not just an occasional occurrence. Using qualifiers such as "often" or "typically" can help avoid overgeneralization.