Contemporary setting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Contemporary setting" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a modern or current time period in which a story, event, or situation takes place. For example, "The novel is set in a contemporary setting, reflecting today's societal issues." Alternative expressions include "modern context" and "current environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The terms in which the play's characters describe the roles of men and women seem out of place in a literally contemporary setting.

The New York Times

I first heard "Ye Ye" in a thoroughly contemporary setting.

The New Yorker

I always wanted to write classic whodunits in a contemporary setting.

The New York Times - Books

What felt appealing about playing with these mythological tropes in a contemporary setting?

The New Yorker

"Nobody Walks," by contrast, puts a sound man in a more contemporary setting.

The New York Times

In giving "A Doll's House" a contemporary setting, Mr. Edelstein makes Nora controversial again.

The New York Times

Despite its contemporary setting, Needlework has the timeless feeling of a fable.

The Guardian - Books

The problem here is not the virtual space, but the contemporary setting.

The Guardian - Music

ATMOSPHERE -- Spanish tapas dishes, both traditional and updated, served in a spare, contemporary setting.

The New York Times - Food

Akram Khan's new Giselle tells the same story, but updates it to a starkly contemporary setting.

The Guardian

Design for Living by Noel Coward, in a contemporary setting, at the Royal Exchange in Manchester.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair this phrase with verbs like "transposed to", "placed in", or "recast in" to describe creative choices in storytelling.

Common error

Avoid using "Contemporary setting" when describing a science fiction world that takes place in the future. The word 'contemporary' specifically refers to the present time or the time in which the author/reader lives.

Linguistic Context

In the examples provided by Ludwig, "Contemporary setting" functions as a compound noun phrase. It typically serves as the object of a preposition (e.g., "in a contemporary setting") or as the direct object of a verb like "gives" or "puts". Ludwig AI confirms its high frequency in arts criticism to describe modern adaptations of older works.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Wiki & General

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "Contemporary setting" is a robust and highly versatile expression used across diverse fields. In arts and literature, as seen in Ludwig examples from The New York Times and The Guardian, it is the standard way to describe modern-day adaptations of classical stories. In scientific contexts, it distinguishes current data from outdated historical records. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct and universally recognized. When using it, ensure it refers specifically to the present time rather than a future one. Alternatives like "<a href="/s/modern+backdrop" target="_blank" rel="alternative">modern backdrop" can provide stylistic variety, but the original phrase remains the most precise for general use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Modern-day setting

Nearly identical in meaning but explicitly emphasizes the day-to-day aspect.

Modern backdrop

Focuses more on the visual or situational background rather than the time period itself.

Contemporary context

Shifts focus from the physical place to the broader circumstances or ideas.

Current time period

More literal and less descriptive of the atmosphere than the original phrase.

Present-day milieu

Uses more sophisticated vocabulary to describe the social environment.

Current environment

A broader term often used in business or science rather than the arts.

Current landscape

Often used metaphorically to describe the state of an industry or situation.

Present surroundings

Highly localized and specific to what is immediately around a subject.

Up-to-date environment

Suggests that the setting has been intentionally modernized or refreshed.

Modern framework

Implies a structural or theoretical contemporary approach.

FAQs

How to use "contemporary setting" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe where a story takes place, such as: "The director decided to place the classical tragedy in a "Contemporary setting" to make it more relatable to modern audiences."

What can I say instead of "contemporary setting"?

Depending on your focus, you can use alternatives like "<a href="/s/modern+backdrop" target="_blank" rel="alternative">modern backdrop", "<a href="/s/present-day+milieu" target="_blank" rel="alternative">present-day milieu", or "<a href="/s/contemporary+context" target="_blank" rel="alternative">contemporary context".

Which is correct, "contemporary setting" or "modern context"?

Both are correct but serve different purposes. Use "Contemporary setting" for the physical or temporal location of a story, and use "<a href="/s/modern+context" target="_blank" rel="alternative">modern context" when discussing ideas or interpretations relevant to today.

What is the difference between "contemporary setting" and "historical setting"?

A "Contemporary setting" happens in the present day, whereas a "<a href="/s/historical+setting" target="_blank" rel="alternative">historical setting" takes place in a specific period of the past.