particular to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'particular to' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that is special, unique or exclusive to something or someone. For example, "This restaurant has a menu particular to its location."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

This result isn't particular to New Jersey.

The New York Times

This applies in particular to Unite.

The Guardian - Opinion

Perhaps this is particular to his sickness.

The New York Times - Books

The hazards are particular to the circumstance.

The New Yorker

Not with anything particular to say.

The New York Times

She had nothing in particular to do.

The Guardian - Books

3 Sounds which are particular to Arabic.

The Guardian - Travel

Was particular to dark meat on Thanksgiving.

The New York Times

It includes nudity, violence and language particular to gangsters.

The New York Times

Concerns about sustainability are not particular to Katine.

The Guardian

"This is very particular to Long Island," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "particular to" when emphasizing that a trait, feature, or problem is uniquely associated with a specific subject. For example, "The challenges are particular to small businesses."

Common error

Avoid using "particular to" when describing generalities or widespread phenomena. Ensure the characteristic you're describing is genuinely unique to the subject, not just a common occurrence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "particular to" functions as a prepositional phrase that typically modifies a noun or pronoun, specifying a unique or distinct attribute, characteristic, or relevance. As Ludwig AI suggests, it denotes something special, unique, or exclusive to a subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

6%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "particular to" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to denote that a specific characteristic, trait, or problem is uniquely associated with a certain subject or context. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely applicable. While it's essential to ensure that the attribute you're describing is indeed exclusive to the subject, the phrase can be effectively employed across diverse registers, with a higher frequency in news and media, science, and formal business communications. Alternatives such as "specific to" or "unique to" can be used depending on the intended nuance. Remember to use "particular to" to emphasize distinctiveness and ensure the context warrants its use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

specific to

Highlights the unique or exclusive association with something.

unique to

Emphasizes the exclusivity and distinctiveness of something.

exclusive to

Focuses on the restricted access or applicability to a certain group or thing.

characteristic of

Indicates a typical or distinctive feature.

relevant to

Highlights the pertinence or applicability to a certain subject.

connected to

Indicates an association or link with something.

pertinent to

Emphasizes the direct relevance to a particular matter.

limited to

Focuses on the restricted scope or applicability.

germane to

Highlights relevance and appropriateness to a specific topic.

applicable to

Indicates suitability or relevance in a certain context.

FAQs

How can I use "particular to" in a sentence?

You can use "particular to" to indicate that something is specific or unique to a certain context, person, or thing. For example, "This approach is "particular to" this project".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "particular to"?

Alternatives include "specific to", "unique to", or "exclusive to", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to use "particular to", or can I use "specific to" instead?

While "specific to" is often interchangeable, "particular to" can sometimes imply a higher degree of uniqueness or unusualness. The choice depends on the context and the nuance you wish to convey.

How does "particular to" differ from "typical of"?

"Particular to" emphasizes that something is unique to a specific instance, while "typical of" suggests that something is representative or characteristic of a larger group or category. The key difference lies in whether you are highlighting uniqueness or commonality.