what set it apart

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what set it apart" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the distinguishing features or qualities of something that make it unique or different from others. Example: "The innovative design and user-friendly interface are what set it apart from its competitors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

What set it apart was its originality.

The Guardian - Books

What set it apart, perhaps, was the delivery.

The New Yorker

Amazon's cultural ambitions are what set it apart from other large online retailers, such as Overstock.com.com

The New Yorker

The geography of the land and the heat and humidity were what set it apart.

The Guardian - Arts

What set it apart from everything else I saw this year was the immense originality of Yuval Sharon's conception.

The New Yorker

What set it apart, for me, was the mellowness of the amber-hued broth, in which the taste of cinnamon was pronounced.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Yet One Direction has always been best at its most lighthearted; the band's offhand vibe is what sets it apart from its more deliberate boy-band predecessors.

Los Angeles Times

But what sets it apart is its merciless attack on consumer culture in sequences brutal, comic and brutally comic.

The New York Times

What sets it apart is its data-focused fit system.

TechCrunch

Even though DBT employs some of the same concepts as CBT, what sets it apart is its focus on validation.

Huffington Post

What sets it apart from traditional banks is its simplicity - with it only taking a couple of minutes to set up an account.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what set it apart" to highlight a key, defining characteristic rather than a minor detail.

Common error

Avoid using "what set it apart" without clearly establishing what is being compared. Ensure the subject and its differentiating attribute are explicitly stated to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what set it apart" functions as a relative clause introducing the subject's defining quality. It indicates a key characteristic that distinguishes something from others. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what set it apart" is a relative clause used to emphasize the unique or distinguishing characteristics of a subject. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and commonly used, especially in news and media contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure the subject and its differentiating attribute are explicitly identified to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "what distinguished it" or "what made it unique" can be used for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what distinguished it

Focuses on distinctiveness, using 'distinguished' instead of 'set apart'.

what made it unique

Emphasizes uniqueness as the defining characteristic.

what differentiated it

Highlights the differences between it and others.

what was its distinguishing feature

Rephrases as a question focusing on a specific feature.

what was its defining quality

Focuses on the quality that defines it.

what made it stand out

Uses 'stand out' to indicate prominence and difference.

what gave it an edge

Highlights the competitive advantage it possessed.

what was its claim to fame

Focuses on what made it well-known or notable.

the unique selling proposition

Commercial terminology emphasizing uniqueness from a marketing point of view.

the key differentiator

Highlights the primary difference from competitors.

FAQs

How can I use "what set it apart" in a sentence?

Use "what set it apart" to emphasize a unique or distinguishing characteristic. For example, "What set it apart was its innovative design".

What can I say instead of "what set it apart"?

You can use alternatives like "what distinguished it", "what made it unique", or "what differentiated it" depending on the context.

Which is correct: "what sets it apart" or "what set it apart"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "what set it apart" typically refers to something in the past, while "what sets it apart" refers to something in the present.

What's the difference between "what set it apart" and "what made it stand out"?

"What set it apart" implies a specific, defining attribute, while "what made it stand out" suggests a more general sense of prominence or noticeability.