that characterizes it

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that characterizes it" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a specific quality or feature that defines or distinguishes something. Example: "The unique color of the flower is one of the traits that characterizes it."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

These grace-favored cases of human dominium do not replicate the authority of God's dominium, but can exhibit the love that characterizes it.

SEP

We therefore believe there is a need for a standardized and consistent method to uniquely identify an alternatively spliced isoform using a short and unambiguous identifier, whose purpose is to describe its structure, in terms of the exact succession of exons and introns that characterizes it, in a simple and concise way.

Plosone

This is the first study to our knowledge that describes the behaviour of the VvSTS gene family focusing on each single member and taking into account the strong sequence conservation that characterizes it.

BMC Plant Biology

Each hormone has different and typical function that characterizes it.

WikiHow

The protagonists in these works, which have encompassed the mass protests that marked the war's revolutionary beginnings and the savage and elliptical fighting that characterizes it today, have mainly been demonstrators and freedom fighters, their stories playing out on a grand political stage and framed in ideological terms that would be sympathetic to Western and anti-Assad audiences.

The New Yorker

This rivalry will only add to the rising violence in the Islamic world, further stoke the sectarianism that characterizes it and further polarize Middle East politics.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

In principle, the solution contains all the transient probability distributions of the ICP process that characterize it on its way to equilibrium.

Fluids and Barriers of the CNS

Disrupting REM sleep--the sleep stage when dreams occur, named for the rapid eye movements that characterize it--has the worst effect on memory in people.

Science Magazine

But the sort of rigid overreaction that characterized it will not make genuine defense of the First Amendment any easier.

The New York Times

Mr. Clohessy had not yet seen the Vatican response and was reacting to some news reports that characterized it as a rejection.

The New York Times

They sacrifice space for the charm of their neighborhood, which still has much of the architecture and cobblestone streets that characterized it in the days of Edith Wharton.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "that characterizes it", ensure that the characteristic you're describing is essential and defining, not merely incidental. This strengthens the clarity and impact of your description.

Common error

Avoid using "that characterizes it" with characteristics that are too general or subjective. Instead, opt for specific and measurable attributes to enhance precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that characterizes it" functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun or noun phrase by providing essential information about a distinguishing feature or quality. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that characterizes it" is a grammatically sound relative clause used to highlight a key defining feature of a subject. As affirmed by Ludwig, it's suitable for diverse writing contexts, particularly in scientific, news, and general informational content. While relatively rare, its effective use relies on specifying essential and measurable attributes rather than vague qualities. Alternatives like "that defines it" or "that distinguishes it" may offer subtle variations in meaning, enhancing precision and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that defines it

Focuses directly on definition rather than characteristic.

that distinguishes it

Highlights the unique qualities that set it apart.

that identifies it

Emphasizes recognition and classification.

which typifies it

Suggests a more typical or representative quality.

that exemplifies it

Implies serving as a prime example.

that embodies it

Conveys a sense of intrinsic representation.

that marks it

Highlights a distinctive feature.

that is peculiar to it

Emphasizes uniqueness and distinctiveness.

that is indicative of it

Implies something that serves as a sign or indication.

that represents it

Focuses on symbolizing or standing for something.

FAQs

How can I use "that characterizes it" in a sentence?

Use "that characterizes it" to specify a defining attribute. For example: "The rapid growth is one of the things "that characterizes it"."

What are some alternatives to "that characterizes it"?

Alternatives include "that defines it", "that distinguishes it", or "that identifies it", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "that characterizes it" or "which characterizes it"?

"That characterizes it" is generally preferred in restrictive clauses, which are essential to the meaning of the sentence. "Which characterizes it" is used in non-restrictive clauses, which add extra information but aren't essential.

What's the difference between "that characterizes it" and "that is characteristic of it"?

"That characterizes it" directly links a quality to a subject, while "that is characteristic of it" describes the quality as being typical or representative of the subject. The former is more concise and impactful.