What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
characterized
Example
The city is characterized by its vibrant nightlife and diverse culinary scene. [characterized: verb]
Example
Her artwork is characterized by bold colors and abstract shapes. [characterized: verb]
distinguish
Example
She can easily distinguish between different types of birds by their songs. [distinguish: verb]
Example
His talent for storytelling distinguishes him from other writers in the genre. [distinguishes: present tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Distinguish is more commonly used than characterized in everyday language. Distinguish is versatile and can be used in various contexts, while characterized is less common and is typically used in more specific or analytical situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between characterized and distinguish?
While both characterized and distinguish can be used in formal and informal contexts, characterized is generally associated with a more formal tone due to its analytical nature, while distinguish can be used in both formal and informal settings.
