it is characteristic of

USAGE SUMMARY

"it is characteristic of" is a perfectly correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to something as having typical or expected attributes of a particular thing, or as having qualities that are typical of something or someone. For example: "It is characteristic of cats to be independent and curious."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

It's what you might expect of the city itself, with its famous warmth, but it is characteristic of the art scene too.

The Guardian - Arts

This single, recurrent mutation suggests that it is characteristic of granulosa-cell tumors, and its high frequency implies that it is potentially a driver in disease initiation.

Plosone

Meanwhile, it is characteristic of this festival that much of its two gala-style International Evenings consists of world premieres.

The New York Times - Arts

Musically, it is characteristic of Williams's later songs.

The New Yorker

His answer notwithstanding, it is characteristic of intuitive knowledge, according to Ockham, that it is unmediated.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But it is characteristic of Williams' mind that he tends to express his intellectual opinions in baseball terms.

The New Yorker

It is characteristic of Sebald that what we are reading here is not ascribed directly to the narrator.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

It's characteristic of a theatre that's acutely aware of its own panto history.

The Guardian

It was characteristic of her indomitable diffidence.

The Guardian

It was characteristic of Brennan to use the word "joust".

The New Yorker

It was characteristic of him that he revolutionized this professorship.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is characteristic of" to highlight a typical or expected attribute within a particular context. For instance, "It is characteristic of a well-written novel to have compelling characters."

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "it is characteristic of" in formal writing. Vary your sentence structure by using more direct phrases like "typically" or "usually" to maintain a concise and engaging style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is characteristic of" functions as a predicative expression, attributing a typical or expected quality to a subject. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

28%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Academia

12%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is characteristic of" is a versatile phrase used to describe typical or expected qualities of a subject. Ludwig provides ample evidence of its usage across diverse contexts, from news and media to scientific and academic writing. The phrase is grammatically sound and widely accepted, as also confirmed by Ludwig AI, making it a reliable choice for expressing typical attributes. While alternatives like "it is typical of" exist, "it is characteristic of" offers a nuanced way to highlight inherent or defining qualities. When writing, remember to use it to add clarity and depth to your descriptions, but avoid overuse in formal writing for conciseness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is typical of

This alternative uses "typical" instead of "characteristic", offering a more common synonym while maintaining the same meaning.

it is indicative of

This phrase replaces "characteristic" with "indicative", suggesting that something serves as a sign or indication of something else.

it is representative of

Using "representative" emphasizes that something is a typical example or specimen of a larger group or category.

it is a trait of

This option focuses on a specific quality or attribute, using "trait" to denote a distinguishing characteristic.

it is a feature of

This alternative highlights a notable aspect or element, using "feature" to describe a prominent characteristic.

it is in keeping with

This phrase suggests that something is consistent or in accordance with a particular pattern or expectation.

it is common in

This option shifts the focus to prevalence, indicating that something frequently occurs or is widely observed within a specific context.

it exemplifies

This alternative emphasizes that something serves as a prime example or illustration of a particular quality or concept.

it embodies

This phrase suggests that something is a tangible or concrete representation of a particular idea or quality.

it is defined by

This alternative emphasizes that something is fundamentally determined or shaped by a particular characteristic or attribute.

FAQs

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

Use "it is characteristic of" to describe a quality or behavior that is typical or expected for a particular thing or person. For example, "It is characteristic of lions to hunt in packs".

What are some alternatives to "it is characteristic of"?

Alternatives include phrases like "it is typical of", "it is indicative of", or "it is representative of depending" on the context.

Is "it is characteristic of" formal or informal?

"It is characteristic of" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. While appropriate in many contexts, simpler alternatives may be preferable in very informal settings.

What is the difference between "it is characteristic of" and "it is typical of"?

While both phrases are similar, "it is characteristic of" may suggest a more inherent or defining quality, while "it is typical of" simply indicates common occurrence.