Note 129 – The difference between distinct and distinctive

It’s a common error to use distinct instead of distinctive and vice versa.  According to The Pocket Writer’s Handbook by Martin Manser & Stephen Curtis, distinct means “‘clear’, ‘clearly noticeable’ or ‘separate and different’”; however, distinctive means that something has its own “special and unmistakable character”.

Consider the following sentences:

• There is a distinct noise coming from next door (meaning that it was a clearly noticeable and separate noise).
• I love the distinctive flavour of a Chilean Merlot (meaning it has it’s own special taste which sets it apart from other red wines).

Now for a quick test – choose between distinct and distinctive in the following two sentences.

• There is a distinct/distinctive difference between the words effect and affect.
• The cocktail had a very distinct/distinctive taste.

You will find the answers at the end of the blog.

My thoughts: It’s easy to see why people tend to pick the wrong word; I hope this blog has shown that these two words have distinct (separate and different) meanings. 

That’s it for today. If you have any questions about this blog, please leave me a comment.

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Until tomorrow…

Sandra

My writing challenge: http://wp.me/p1x6Ui-4

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Reference list:

Pocket Writer’s Handbook by Martin Manser & Stephen Curtis (Penguin Reference Library)

Answers to test…

• There is a distinct difference between the words effect and affect.
• The cocktail had a very distinctive taste.