mainly distinguished by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mainly distinguished by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the primary characteristics or features that set something apart from others. Example: "The species is mainly distinguished by its vibrant coloration and unique mating rituals."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

ALTHOUGH mainly distinguished by its repressive ways, Laos is not without friends.

The Economist

Buddhapālita, (flourished 5th century), the founder of the Prāsaṅgika school of Buddhism, mainly distinguished by its method of argumentation, similar to the Socratic dialogue.

Britannica

The models are mainly distinguished by how independent noise affects the spikes of the output spike trains, which results in different cross-spectra of two spike trains.

The Journal of Mathematical Neuroscience (JMN)

At present, the two sources of PAHs are mainly distinguished by utilizing characteristic compound index, including the ratios of Phe/Ant, Chr/BaA, Flu/Pyr, Flu/(Flu + Pyr), IP/(IP + BghiP), LMW/HMW, etc. [27].

Chemistry Central Journal

King Island Emu were mainly distinguished by their much smaller size and a reported darker colour compared to modern Emu.

Plosone

The genera can be mainly distinguished by the setation of the endopod of leg 4 (Figure 1H).

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

By light microscopy of Hematoxylin-Eosin-Safranin-staining of normal tissue and diagnostic immunohistochemistry of the tumour samples we identified 17 cell-types (not shown), where four cell types mainly distinguished tumour from normal pleura.

Plosone

His work, written mainly from 1415 to 1430, is distinguished by its variety of subject matter and form.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Geochemical groups and areas influenced mainly by anthropogenic activities were distinguished by means of classic multivariate methods (factor analysis and cluster analysis) and innovative geostatistical tools (Fourier spectral analysis).

Environment International

The chosen species were distinguished by different architectures, mainly tallness of the plants.

Flora - Morphology, Distribution, Functional Ecology of Plants

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is an inflammatory disorder mainly affecting the axial joints and distinguished by a significant association with HLA-B27 [ 1, 2].

BioMed Research International

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mainly distinguished by" when you want to highlight the most important differentiating factor, but acknowledge that other factors might also contribute. This provides a nuanced and accurate description.

Common error

Avoid using "mainly distinguished by" when the subject is completely unique in all aspects. This phrase implies a degree of similarity with other subjects, only with key differences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mainly distinguished by" functions as a descriptive element, highlighting the key attribute that differentiates a subject from others. It is frequently used to provide a concise summary of the most important characteristic. As Ludwig AI highlights, its usage is considered correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

30%

News & Media

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "mainly distinguished by" serves as a precise tool for pinpointing the primary differentiating factor of a subject. Grammatically sound and versatile, it's at home in formal writing but rare in colloquial contexts. Ludwig AI supports this, confirming its grammatical correctness. It's prevalent in scientific, encyclopedic, and news sources, underlining its usefulness in communicating key distinctions concisely. Remember to wield it when highlighting the most important difference without implying complete uniqueness, thus ensuring clarity and nuance in your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primarily characterized by

Focuses on the primary attribute but uses a different verb and preposition.

chiefly identified by

Emphasizes identification based on the main characteristic.

largely defined by

Highlights how a subject is mainly defined.

mostly known for

Indicates a quality something is mostly recognized.

primarily recognized for

Focuses on how a subject is mainly known.

principally marked by

Highlights prominent markers.

essentially set apart by

Focuses on essential separating features.

typically identified by

Highlights the typical identifying characteristics.

predominantly featured with

Emphasizes prominent features.

notably characterized by

Highlights remarkable characteristics.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "mainly distinguished by"?

Alternatives include "primarily characterized by", "chiefly identified by", or "largely defined by", each offering slight nuances in emphasis.

Is it correct to use "mainly distinguished by" in formal writing?

Yes, "mainly distinguished by" is appropriate for formal writing. It clearly and professionally highlights key differentiating factors. Its suitability is supported by its use in encyclopedias and scientific publications.

What does "mainly distinguished by" imply about other characteristics?

Using "mainly distinguished by" suggests that while the mentioned feature is the primary differentiator, other characteristics also contribute to the subject's overall identity. This hints at the existence of other traits that aren't necessarily unique but are still part of the subject's makeup.

Can "mainly distinguished by" be used to describe abstract concepts?

Yes, "mainly distinguished by" is not limited to physical objects. It can effectively describe abstract concepts by pinpointing the key factors that set them apart from other related ideas. For instance, one philosophical school of thought might be "mainly distinguished by" its approach to ethics.