particularity

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "particularity" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to emphasize the uniqueness of a certain quality being discussed. For example, "The particularity of his profession was a source of pride for him."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This denial of the knowledge of particulars in their particularity also appears at Charmides 166e; Phaedo 97d; Republic 334a, 409d.

SEP

Thus they fail to appreciate the moral import of particularity and cultural substance: particular relationships between unique individuals, on the one hand, and membership in particular cultural communities or traditions, on the other (for feminist critiques, see Benhabib 1992; Meehan 1995; for a communitarian argument, see Taylor 1989).

SEP

It has a fragile, transformative horizon, namely, a society that would no longer be riven with fundamental antagonisms, thinking that would be rid of the compulsion to dominate through conceptual identification, and the flourishing of particular objects in their particularity.

SEP

Confusion itself is linked with a kind of violence or agitation, so that confused sensations alone may be enough to make our desires become 'passionate.' The violence of the passions seems partly a matter of their particularity: passions are directed at particular objects, in contrast with the generality of, e.g., benevolence.

SEP

That is, God knows that certain states of affairs are particular, but he does not know in what their particularity consists.

SEP

Ethics is therefore either an affair of inserting particulars into abstract scenarios, or ethics itself speaks out of particularity about the first human particularity: the face-to-face relationship.

SEP

But this does not at all mean that they attempt to reduce universality to their own particularity; for the latter is in turn understood as one particular expression of the formless ur-culture, the indeterminate source of possibilities for individual and cultural determination, that is to say, the originary nothingness that we all share.

SEP

Universality and particularity are accidents of essence, which in itself is neither universal nor particular.

SEP

It is hard to envisage Google Maps' particularity because there are no real alternatives.

The Guardian

They are really good sight readers, wonderfully adept actors, very good at accents but, 10 pages in, they all ground to a halt, completely defeated by the particularity of the summats, neets, alreets and lakings of the text.

The Guardian

Some of the terms I collected mingle oddness and familiarity in the manner that Freud calls uncanny: peculiar in their particularity, but recognisable in that they name something conceivable, if not instantly locatable.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "particularity" when you want to emphasize the unique and specific nature of something. It's particularly useful in academic and philosophical contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "particularity" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler words like "uniqueness" or "details" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The word "particularity" functions primarily as a noun, denoting the state or quality of being particular or unique. It's used to emphasize specific characteristics, often in contrast to generality or universality. Ludwig provides examples where it highlights attention to detail or the uniqueness of an object.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

54%

News & Media

29%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "particularity" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun that denotes the quality of being unique or specific. It is most commonly found in scientific and academic writing, as noted by Ludwig, where precision and detail are essential. While alternatives like "uniqueness" or "specificity" exist, "particularity" provides a distinct emphasis on individual characteristics. When using "particularity", consider the formality of your context and opt for simpler terms if a more casual tone is desired. Based on Ludwig AI, this word is perfectly correct to use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uniqueness

Focuses on the quality of being unlike anything else.

distinctiveness

Emphasizes the quality of being easily distinguishable from others.

individuality

Highlights the unique characteristics of a person or thing.

specificity

Stresses the detailed and precise nature of something.

peculiarity

Suggests something unusual or strange about a particular thing.

singularity

Indicates the state of being one of a kind.

idiosyncrasy

Refers to a distinctive or peculiar feature or characteristic.

detail

Focuses on a specific aspect or item.

nuance

Highlights a subtle difference or distinction.

distinct feature

Emphasizes a notable characteristic that sets something apart.

FAQs

How can I use "particularity" in a sentence?

You can use "particularity" to emphasize the unique qualities of something. For example, "The artist focused on the particularity of each brushstroke."

What's the difference between "particularity" and "specificity"?

"Particularity" refers to the quality of being individual or unique, while "specificity" refers to being precise or detailed. They are related but not interchangeable.

What are some alternatives to using "particularity"?

Depending on the context, you could use "uniqueness", "distinctiveness", or "individuality" as alternatives to "particularity".

Is "particularity" a formal word?

Yes, "particularity" is generally considered a formal word and is more common in academic, philosophical, or technical writing than in casual conversation.