salient character

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "salient character" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a prominent or important trait or feature of a person, object, or concept. Example: "The salient character of her leadership style is her ability to inspire and motivate her team."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The midsagittal profile of the mandibular symphysis has served as both a taxonomic marker and a phylogenetically salient character in debates over hominoid evolution.

Journal of Human Evolution

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

A comparison of salient characters of the three species, all of sect.

Botanical Studies

It could be argued that the moving characters acted as distractors depriving the timing tasks of attentional resources, with the most salient characters leading to the greatest task interference [29].

Plosone

Romney's salient quality is not wealth.

The New York Times

"I think I struggled because it's difficult to write a character whose salient personality trait is weakness, as Adinath's is, without making that trait consume and define him," Mukherjee says.

The Guardian - Books

Further, Brentano's attempt to state in a 'descriptive' or 'phenomenological' psychology, based on how intentional presentations present themselves, the fundamental kinds to which they belong and their necessary interrelationships, may plausibly be interpreted as an effort to articulate the philosophically salient, highly general phenomenal character of intentional states (or acts) of mind.

SEP

Their racial character is salient.

Huffington Post

But we should not rely on those statistics to the detriment of comments from teachers, recommendations, interviews and other non-measurable but more salient attributes such as character, imagination, wit and honesty.

Huffington Post

As predicted by the saliency maps, the moving objects in these videos appear to be salient (e.g., the character in the game video, the falling water drop, the soccer player and the ball, the moving car and the walking policeman, and the jogger and the football player).

Plosone

In a work with only three characters, the salient features of the staging are a contingent of almost two dozen dancers in informal modern dress on foot and a large chorus costumed as historical personages and wheeled around in grandstands: witnesses to protohistory, as it were.

The New York Times - Arts

His production draws out the sharpest colors in the cast, magnifying the characters' most salient qualities in an amped-up TV sitcom manner.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a person or object, use "salient character" to pinpoint the most noticeable or defining feature. This adds clarity and focus to your description.

Common error

Avoid using "salient character" too frequently in formal writing. While correct, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "defining trait" or "key attribute" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "salient character" functions as a noun phrase, where "salient" modifies the noun "character". It denotes a prominent or particularly noticeable aspect of someone or something. Ludwig's examples show its use in describing traits, features, or characteristics that stand out.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "salient character" is used to highlight a prominent or important trait, and it is grammatically correct according to Ludwig AI. While the phrase is not extremely common, it appears in a variety of reliable sources, including news media and scientific publications. Synonyms such as "defining trait" or "key attribute" can be used to avoid repetition. Remember to avoid using "most salient character" as it can be considered redundant. The phrase is appropriate for neutral to formal contexts, making it a useful tool for analytical and descriptive writing. Ludwig’s examples confirm its consistent application across different fields.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conspicuous character

Replaces 'salient' with 'conspicuous', focusing on the immediately noticeable aspect of the character.

major character

Substitutes 'salient' with 'major', emphasizing the character's importance in a narrative or context.

noteworthy character

Uses 'noteworthy' instead of 'salient', highlighting the character's deserving of attention.

notable character

Replaces 'salient' with 'notable', stressing the character's fame or importance.

eminent character

Employs 'eminent' rather than 'salient', suggesting the character is of high rank or reputation.

significant character

Replaces 'salient' with 'significant', underlining the character's importance or effect.

noticeable character

Uses 'noticeable' instead of 'salient', indicating that the character is easily observed or recognized.

substantial character

Substitutes 'salient' with 'substantial', highlighting the character's considerable importance or value.

fundamental character

Employs 'fundamental' rather than 'salient', emphasizing the character's foundational or essential nature.

main character

Replaces 'salient' with 'main', focusing on the character's central role in a story or situation.

FAQs

How can I use "salient character" in a sentence?

You can use "salient character" to describe a prominent or important trait or feature of a person, object, or concept. For instance, "The "salient character" of her leadership style is her ability to inspire and motivate her team."

What are some alternatives to "salient character"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "defining trait", "key attribute", "prominent feature", or "most noticeable characteristic".

Is it redundant to say "most salient character"?

Yes, it can be considered redundant. "Salient" already implies prominence or noteworthiness, so adding "most" is generally unnecessary. It's better to simply use ""salient character"".

What's the difference between "salient character" and "distinctive feature"?

"Salient character" refers to a particularly noticeable or important trait, while "distinctive feature" refers to a characteristic that sets something apart. The former emphasizes importance, while the latter emphasizes uniqueness.