this is characteristic of

USAGE SUMMARY

"this is characteristic of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe a trait that is typical of something, such as, "This attention to detail is characteristic of a successful business."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There are echoes in these lyrics (and in its mournful melody) of the Smiths's "How Soon Is Now?" and this is characteristic of a side of Noel Gallagher's songwriting that is not often talked about.

Vice

This is characteristic of those four bunkers.

The Guardian

This is characteristic of his book.

The New York Times - Books

This is characteristic of many (all?) Blechnaceae.

Cornell University

All this is characteristic of Stewart's unorthodox thinking.

The New York Times - Books

This is characteristic of Bernstein's approach to thinking; pros and cons weighed up before conclusions drawn.

The Guardian

This is characteristic of mathematics, whereby elementary formulas can give rise to surprisingly varied phenomena.

The New York Times

This is characteristic of the new era that I mentioned earlier.

Harvard University

This is characteristic of revolutionary movements; people involved get a sense of enormous possibility.

University of California, Berkeley

This is characteristic of the worst type of sexual act, where the action stops and re-starts.

The New Yorker

This is characteristic of Pallett's music: musical figures that, as they repeat themselves, deepen harmonically until they resemble a fractal.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "this is characteristic of", ensure that the subject you are describing has a clearly established set of traits or behaviors, making the characteristic you're highlighting easily recognizable to your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "this is characteristic of" to describe traits that are only occasionally observed or are not consistently associated with the subject. Ensure the characteristic is a stable and identifiable attribute.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this is characteristic of" functions as a descriptor, attributing a typical or defining attribute to a subject. It serves to highlight a trait that is consistently associated with the subject, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

29%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this is characteristic of" serves to identify typical or defining attributes of a subject. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. Its prevalence across academic, news, and scientific sources, alongside its function as a descriptor, makes it a versatile addition to one's writing. When employing this phrase, ensure that the characteristic you are attributing is consistently associated with the subject, avoiding overgeneralizations. Consider similar phrases like "this is typical of" or "this is indicative of" for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this is typical of

Focuses on the typicality or commonness of a trait.

this is indicative of

Highlights that something serves as an indicator or sign.

this is representative of

Emphasizes that something is a good example or sample.

this is illustrative of

Suggests that something helps to explain or clarify.

this is a hallmark of

Points out a distinctive or defining feature.

this is symptomatic of

Indicates that something is a symptom or sign of a condition.

this is inherent in

Implies that something is an essential or intrinsic part.

this is distinctive of

Highlights the unique or distinguishing qualities.

this is peculiar to

Indicates that something is unique to a specific person, group or thing.

this is unique to

Stresses that something is exclusively found in a certain context.

FAQs

How can I use "this is characteristic of" in a sentence?

Use "this is characteristic of" to point out a typical or distinctive feature of someone or something. For example, "This attention to detail is characteristic of successful entrepreneurs."

What are some alternatives to "this is characteristic of"?

You can use alternatives like "this is typical of", "this is indicative of", or "this is representative of" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "this is characteristic of" or "this is typical of"?

While both phrases are similar, "this is characteristic of" may suggest a more defining or inherent quality, whereas "this is typical of" simply indicates common occurrence.

Can "this is characteristic of" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "this is characteristic of" is appropriate for formal writing. It is a clear and professional way to describe defining qualities or behaviors.