mark of character

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mark of character" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a distinguishing feature or quality that reflects a person's character or integrity. Example: "Her honesty in difficult situations is a true mark of character that sets her apart from others."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedia Britannica

The New York Times

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Style is also seen as a mark of character.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Most Indian parents still drill into their kids that virginity is a mark of character, and that sex before marriage is taboo.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Perhaps because his face was in shadow, the scene invited you to try to pick out prophetic marks of character.

The New Yorker

But one needs to be careful about seeing visits from ghosts, no matter how friendly, as marks of character, especially when they begin to crowd the room.

The New Yorker

With a previously owned car, it already has these marks of character.

Huffington Post

And a jazzy walk, an interesting tremor, the occasional lordly flash of temper or mood swing might in their milieu mark out a man of character.

The New Yorker

Taking responsibility for social actions like voting is a mark of good character.

The New York Times

To have lovely handwriting, or a talent for poetry, was a mark of good character, in a former life as well as in the present one.

The New Yorker

He's a question mark of a character, a question that remains as unanswered at the end of this satisfying film as at the start.

The New York Times

It is impossible to know if this experience affected the artist's habit, later cited as a mark of his character, of buying caged birds from the market just to set them free.

The New Yorker

But natural childbirth advocates often paint an idealized picture of how birth is supposed to proceed (see also Crossley 2007), and treat 'success' at natural childbirth as a mark of maternal character (see also Kukla 2008).

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mark of character" to emphasize that a particular action or quality is a significant indicator of someone's overall personality and moral values.

Common error

Avoid using "mark of character" too frequently in your writing. Overuse can make your language sound repetitive and less impactful. Instead, vary your phrasing with synonyms like "hallmark of integrity" or "sign of virtue" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mark of character" functions as a noun phrase, often used as a predicate nominative or in apposition to describe a quality or trait that is indicative of someone's personality or moral standing. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mark of character" is a noun phrase that serves to highlight a quality or trait indicative of someone's personality or moral standing. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Although its frequency is rare, its usage is well-distributed across diverse contexts such as News & Media and Encyclopedias, as well as Science. When writing, aim to emphasize the importance of a particular action or quality in revealing a person's true nature and avoid overusing it. Instead, you can vary your phrasing with synonyms like "hallmark of integrity" or "sign of virtue".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hallmark of integrity

Focuses specifically on integrity as a key component of character.

sign of virtue

Emphasizes moral excellence as an indicator of character.

reflection of moral fiber

Highlights the strength and quality of one's moral principles.

indicator of ethical standing

Focuses on the ethical dimension of a person's character.

attribute of personality

Refers to a characteristic trait that makes up someone's character.

distinctive quality

Highlights a specific trait that sets someone apart.

identifying trait

Focuses on a characteristic that helps define a person.

stamp of authenticity

Implies genuineness and true representation of character.

evidence of moral strength

Highlights the resilience and fortitude of a person's character.

symbol of inner qualities

Suggests that external actions or attributes represent internal character traits.

FAQs

How can I use "mark of character" in a sentence?

You can use "mark of character" to describe a distinguishing feature or quality that reflects a person's character. For example: "Her honesty in difficult situations is a true mark of character."

What are some alternatives to "mark of character"?

Alternatives to "mark of character" include "hallmark of integrity", "sign of virtue", or "attribute of personality", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "mark of character" or "sign of character"?

Both "mark of character" and "sign of character" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The choice between them often depends on personal preference and the specific context of your writing.

Can "mark of character" be used in a negative context?

While typically used in a positive or neutral context, "mark of character" can be used ironically or sarcastically to describe a negative trait or action. However, this usage is less common. Examples include "mark of disgrace" or "mark of failure".