very characteristic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'very characteristic' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe an attribute, quality, or characteristic that stands out. For example: The small lake was surrounded by towering pine trees, a very characteristic feature of the local landscape.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He launches into a very characteristic stream of consciousness.

The Guardian - Film

"It's a very characteristic Dutch symbol," Dr. Zafran said.

The New York Times - Arts

This movement from irony to sincerity is a very characteristic one in young-ish American writers.

The Guardian - Books

"We also worked with folds that both hide and reveal, very characteristic of the Baroque period.

The New York Times - Arts

"This is an extreme case," she says, "but it is also very characteristic".

The Guardian

Any street food staples? A. There's a sandwich called chivito that's very characteristic of Uruguay.

The New York Times - Travel

He stood up, clutched his balls - that was a very characteristic gesture - and coughed, and introduced himself.

The Guardian

This last technique – not telling the reader what my detective is thinking – is very characteristic of the Sherlock Holmes stories.

The Guardian

It's very characteristic of her; she is calm, patient, connected, someone who is very tuned into other people.

The New York Times

All these very characteristic gestures help to energise the surface, to keep the eye restlessly in motion.

Independent

I would be looking for signs of blast damage which is very characteristic, such as sooting and curled edges of metal.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing something as "very characteristic", ensure that the context clearly establishes what it is characteristic of. This adds precision and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "very characteristic" as a filler phrase. Instead of saying something is "very characteristic", provide specific details about why it's characteristic. For example, instead of "His behavior was very characteristic", try "His constant interruptions were typical of his dismissive attitude".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very characteristic" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun. It emphasizes that a particular trait or feature is typical and representative of something. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples from diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

53%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "very characteristic" is a versatile adjective phrase used to emphasize that something is typical or representative of a particular thing or person. Ludwig AI shows that the phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used in both News & Media and Scientific contexts. When using "very characteristic", ensure clarity by specifying what the characteristic is associated with. Alternatives like "highly typical" or "distinctively representative" can add nuance, but "very characteristic" remains a clear and widely accepted choice. This analysis highlights the importance of precise language and contextual awareness in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

especially typical

Uses "especially" to highlight the degree of typicality.

highly typical

Emphasizes the typical nature with a different adjective.

markedly typical

Replaces "very characteristic" with "markedly typical", emphasizing the noticeable typicality.

remarkably typical

Highlights the typicality as being noteworthy or surprising.

distinctively representative

Highlights the representative aspect using stronger adjectives.

strikingly representative

Emphasizes the noticeable and impressive nature of being representative.

quintessentially representative

Uses "quintessentially" to convey the most perfect or typical example.

particularly indicative

Focuses on the indicative quality, suggesting it strongly signals something.

unmistakably indicative

Shifts the focus to indication, suggesting something clearly points to something else.

uncommonly representative

Suggests the representative quality is somewhat rare or notable.

FAQs

How can I use "very characteristic" in a sentence?

You can use "very characteristic" to describe something that is typical or representative of a particular person, place, or thing. For instance, "The rolling hills are a "very characteristic" feature of the English countryside".

What are some alternatives to "very characteristic"?

Alternatives include "highly typical", "distinctively representative", or "markedly typical". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "very characteristic" or "highly characteristic"?

Both "very characteristic" and "highly characteristic" are grammatically correct and similar in meaning. The choice often comes down to personal preference or stylistic considerations.

What does it mean when something is described as "very characteristic"?

When something is described as ""very characteristic"", it means it possesses qualities or features that are strongly associated with and representative of a particular thing, person, or place.