key characteristic of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "key characteristic of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an important feature or quality that defines something. Example: "A key characteristic of successful leaders is their ability to communicate effectively."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"That will be the key characteristic of this government.

The New York Times

Lavish tombs were a key characteristic of ancient Egyptian culture, dating back to prehistoric periods.

The New Yorker

Or you might ask why a key characteristic of western culture is widespread overwork.

The Guardian - Opinion

Continuity is a key characteristic of good care, argues one GP.

The Guardian

One key characteristic of this new, new atheism must be more modesty.

The Guardian - Opinion

Having a culture of mutual respect was identified as a key characteristic of the best examples of partnership working.

The Guardian

But only a tiny proportion of the leaders (2%) think mentoring is a key characteristic of future public leaders.

The Guardian

A key characteristic of Bear attacks – and high-quality attacks from many seasoned intruders – appears to be its adroit disguise of malicious files.

The Guardian - Tech

A key characteristic of the Royal Mail is its heavily unionised labour force, boasting a long history of industrial action.

Independent

The key characteristic of this grand final type is that the winning team tends to lead at every change, but not by much.

The Guardian - Sport

A key characteristic of this approach is that there's an incentive for insurers to assemble pools as big as possible.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "key characteristic of", ensure that the characteristic you are highlighting is indeed a defining or essential feature, and not merely a common attribute.

Common error

Avoid using "key characteristic of" for attributes that are secondary or non-essential. This can dilute the impact of the phrase and mislead the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "key characteristic of" functions as a noun phrase modifier, highlighting a significant attribute or feature. Ludwig's examples show it used to specify essential qualities in various subjects, from political systems to scientific phenomena.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "key characteristic of" is a versatile and frequently used expression for emphasizing a defining attribute or feature. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread applicability across diverse fields, including science, news, and formal writing. When employing this phrase, ensure that the attribute genuinely represents a core feature, differentiating it from mere incidental properties. Alternatives such as "principal characteristic of" or "defining feature of" offer nuanced options depending on the intended emphasis. Be mindful of overstating the importance of a characteristic and consider whether a simpler description would suffice for non-essential attributes. As Ludwig's examples show, this phrase serves a valuable purpose in drawing attention to the most critical aspects of a subject.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

principal characteristic of

Replaces "key" with "principal", emphasizing the primary importance of the characteristic.

critical characteristic of

Substitutes "key" with "critical", highlighting the essential nature of the characteristic.

main characteristic of

Uses "main" instead of "key", focusing on the most significant feature.

significant characteristic of

Employs "significant" in place of "key", indicating the noteworthy aspect of the characteristic.

major characteristic of

Replaces "key" with "major", suggesting a prominent feature.

essential characteristic of

Substitutes "key" with "essential", underscoring the necessity of the characteristic.

fundamental characteristic of

Uses "fundamental" instead of "key", highlighting the basic or foundational nature of the characteristic.

defining feature of

Changes the structure to focus on "feature" as the defining aspect.

hallmark of

Replaces the entire phrase with a more concise term indicating a distinguishing trait.

distinctive attribute of

Employs more formal language to describe a unique quality.

FAQs

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

You can use "key characteristic of" to highlight a defining feature or quality. For instance, "A "key characteristic of" leadership is effective communication".

What are some alternatives to "key characteristic of"?

Alternatives include "principal characteristic of", "critical characteristic of", or "defining feature of", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it redundant to say "key characteristic"?

While "characteristic" implies a distinguishing feature, adding "key" emphasizes its importance. Whether it's redundant depends on context; if the importance is clear, "characteristic" alone may suffice.

What's the difference between "key characteristic of" and "important characteristic of"?

"Key characteristic of" suggests a defining feature, while "important characteristic of" simply indicates a significant attribute. The former implies a more essential quality than the latter.