its very distinctive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "its very distinctive" is not correct as it should be "it's very distinctive" with an apostrophe.
You can use it to describe something that has a unique or easily recognizable quality. Example: "The painting is truly remarkable; it's very distinctive with its bold colors and abstract shapes."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Organizers thought that to compete with the International Show, it needed more European dealers, and it slowly started losing its very distinctive American flavor.

The New York Times - Arts

To cook a truly delicious cow foot stew you need all the right ingredients, including Jamaican scotch bonnet peppers and pimento seeds, to provide its very distinctive flavour.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Jutting out like a seal's head from the rest of Mexico, the peninsula can also claim its own very distinctive personality, thanks to its connections with the Mayan people.

Independent

"Every school has its own very distinctive character, but all share an Ark vision and ethos.

The Guardian

However, the Riff page has its own very distinctive visual style, and that's something I hope you take a closer look at this week.

The New York Times

"It's very distinctive.

The New York Times

Smoke is used to preserve this type of ham, lending it a very distinctive smoky flavor.

WikiHow

Its factual output was regarded by its most loyal viewers as "very distinctive" and made it "stand out from other channels aimed at young people".

The Guardian

Physically, Homo sapiens is very distinctive, its peculiarities clearly resulting from a significant developmental reorganization with numerous skeletal ramifications and quite plausibly others as well.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

The most surprising result is the failure of Doa (Doidae) to group with the remaining Noctuoidea, despite its possession of the very distinctive morphological synapomorphies of the superfamily, including a metathoracic tympanal organ and two MD setae on larval T3 [ 65].

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Mike: It's a very distinctive pattern.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the correct possessive form "it's" (it is) or "its" (possessive) to avoid grammatical errors when describing something's distinctive qualities. In this case, the correct form is "it's".

Common error

Avoid using "its" when you mean "it is". "Its" is possessive, while "it's" is a contraction. Using the wrong one can change the meaning of your sentence and make it grammatically incorrect. For example, use "it's very distinctive" instead of "its very distinctive".

Linguistic Context

The phrase is intended to function as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that something is easily distinguishable or unique. However, it's grammatically incorrect. Ludwig indicates that the proper form is "it's very distinctive", where "it's" is a contraction of "it is."

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "its very distinctive" is grammatically incorrect; the correct form is "it's very distinctive", with "it's" being the contraction of "it is". Ludwig identifies that the phrase is used to describe something with unique and easily recognizable qualities, primarily in News & Media contexts. Common errors involve confusing "its" (possessive) with "it's" (contraction). While the phrase's intent is clear, grammatical accuracy is crucial for effective communication. Alternatives like "it's highly unique" or "it's exceptionally recognizable" can be used to convey a similar meaning while maintaining grammatical correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's highly unique

Emphasizes the uniqueness of something while using a more common and grammatically correct structure.

it's exceptionally recognizable

Highlights how easily something can be identified.

it's remarkably individual

Stresses the individuality of something in a notable way.

it's particularly characteristic

Focuses on the specific attributes that define something.

it has a singular quality

Indicates that something possesses a unique attribute.

it possesses a distinct character

Emphasizes the unique nature and personality of something.

it stands out markedly

Highlights how prominently something differs from others.

it has a trademark feature

Indicates something has a feature so unique that it is linked to that specific thing.

it's uniquely identifiable

Focuses on how something can only be associated or recognised from itself.

it's quite unparalleled

Suggests that something is without equal.

FAQs

How do I correct the phrase "its very distinctive"?

The correct phrasing is "it's very distinctive". The word "its" is possessive, whereas "it's" is a contraction of "it is."

What does it mean when something is described as "very distinctive"?

When something is described as "very distinctive", it means that it has easily recognizable or unique qualities that set it apart from others. You can use alternatives like "it's highly unique" or "it's exceptionally recognizable".

Is "its very distinctive" grammatically correct?

No, "its very distinctive" is not grammatically correct. The correct form is "it's very distinctive", which uses the contraction "it's" meaning "it is".

What are some alternatives to saying "its very distinctive"?

Instead of "its very distinctive", you can say "it's very unique", "it's very recognizable", or "it's quite unparalleled" to convey a similar meaning.