what distinguished

USAGE SUMMARY

"what distinguished" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to introduce a quality or characteristic that sets someone or something apart from others. Example: "What distinguished her from the other candidates was her extensive international experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

What distinguished Del Rey was that dark, unnerving, submissive quality.

The New Yorker

Others, like Aristotle, thought it was what distinguished men from beasts.

The New York Times - Arts

Unfortunately, besides suggesting a questionable perspective on reference, this interpretation raised further questions about what distinguished eliminativism from reductionism.

SEP

To a certain extent, human capital was an illustration of what distinguished economics from other social sciences was not so much the object as the approach.

IZA Journal of Labor Economics

What distinguished Fluther is how it tries to deliver an answer in realtime and distributes questions to people based on what they know.

TechCrunch

This qualitative integration step is what distinguished CERHR documents from more traditional hazard evaluations prepared by other agencies.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Biard and Thoret were asked what distinguished them from Pamela Geller, the hardline anti-Islamic pundit in charge of the group that ran the contest.

The Guardian

"That's what distinguished us from other stores.

The New York Times

What distinguished Voices was the subject matter.

The Guardian

No, what distinguished this crisis was its political aspect.

Independent

What distinguished these interactions was how low-key they were.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "what distinguished", ensure the sentence structure maintains clarity by placing the distinguished element in a prominent position for emphasis.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "what distinguished". Vary your sentence structure to maintain reader engagement and avoid monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what distinguished" functions as a relative clause introducing the attribute or characteristic that sets a subject apart from others. Ludwig shows its use to highlight unique qualities in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "what distinguished" is a versatile tool for highlighting unique attributes and differences. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. Predominantly found in news and scientific writing, this phrase serves to clearly define what sets a subject apart, making it a valuable asset in both formal and neutral registers. When writing, use "what distinguished" to clearly introduce the unique aspect of a subject, ensuring it contrasts effectively with others.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the defining characteristic

Focuses on the single most important trait.

the key differentiator

Highlights what sets something apart in a competitive context.

the hallmark feature

Emphasizes a notable or iconic attribute.

the most notable aspect

Draws attention to a particularly remarkable element.

the prominent attribute

Stresses a highly visible or easily recognized quality.

the specific quality

Highlights on which quality is different.

the unique property

Emphasizes a quality that is exclusively of something.

the special feature

Focuses on a attribute that is not common.

the defining trait

Highlights which trait is mostly considered.

the most singular aspect

Draws attention to a single thing.

FAQs

How can I use "what distinguished" in a sentence?

Begin by identifying two or more subjects, then use "what distinguished" to introduce the specific attribute that sets one apart. For example, "What distinguished this project was its innovative approach".

What are some alternatives to "what distinguished"?

You can use alternatives like "the defining characteristic", "the key differentiator", or "the hallmark feature" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to explicitly state what the subject is being distinguished from when using "what distinguished"?

While not always mandatory, providing a clear point of comparison enhances understanding. If the context implies a comparison, it may be omitted; otherwise, explicitly state what the subject is being distinguished from to avoid ambiguity.

What is the difference between "what distinguished" and "what was unique about"?

"What distinguished" implies a comparison and a notable difference, while "what was unique about" simply points out a special attribute without necessarily contrasting it with something else. For example "What distinguished this product was its price.", "What was unique about this product was its design".