An editor revised a sentence in my essay as follows. I don’t quite understand why he revised it this way. Originally “Distinctive from” was used as an opening adjectival phrase, but it was then amended to “As distinct from” that seems not grammatical as an opening adjectival phrase? (Because this kind of phrase should start with an adjective directly, instead of the word “as”?). Thanks!
Original sentence:
Distinctive from traditional deceptions, phishing is characterised by the following aspects.Revised version:
As distinct from traditional deceptions, phishing is characterised by the following aspects.
Answer
Your editor is actually right. I am an editor too, and I would have made a similar change. This is about the difference between “distinct” vs. “distinctive.”
“Distinctive” implies a characteristic that makes something
distinguishable. In your sentence, however, it has been used to mean “As opposed to.” Your editor’s suggestion definitely improves readability.
Also, there’s nothing wrong with beginning the sentence with “As distinct from.”
Attribution
Source : Link , Question Author : Jane , Answer Author : amruta h