I was a genre of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was a genre of" is not correct in standard written English.
It is unclear and does not convey a coherent meaning, as genres typically refer to categories of art, literature, or music, not to individuals. Example: "I was a genre of music that blended classical and jazz influences."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"The only person that understood that I was a genre of my own was Mr. Perlman," he said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

At first it was a genre of post-hardcore.

WikiHow

Contemporary art started to make a lot more sense to me when I realised it's a genre of art making.

The Guardian - Arts

I have to be honest, I haven't seen Hamilton, and the last musical I technically saw was a production of Honk the primary school my Aunt teaches at put on, but I'm still not convinced it's a genre of more cultural significance than "all of electronic music".

Vice

Understand it is a genre of music.

WikiHow

"Hurt" by Johnny Cash Johnny Cash was a genre of one.

The New York Times

Such collections were a genre of the time.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Neo soul is a genre of popular music.

Wikipedia

Street photography seems to be a genre of photography that is very prone to copycats.

Huffington Post

Narrative poetry is a genre of poetry that tells a story.

Wikipedia

Epic poetry is a genre of poetry, and a major form of narrative literature.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "I was a genre of" in formal writing. Instead, rephrase to accurately convey the intended meaning, such as "I embodied the characteristics of a particular genre" or "My work can be categorized within the genre of...".

Common error

Avoid conflating personal identity with artistic or literary categories. "Genre" is a classification for creative works, not a description of an individual. Instead of incorrectly stating "I was a genre of something", focus on specific qualities that align with or defy genre conventions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was a genre of" is grammatically incorrect and functions as an unconventional statement. It attempts to equate a person with a category of artistic expression. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's better to rephrase to something semantically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

25%

Wiki

25%

Encyclopedias

16%

Less common in

Science

16%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was a genre of" is grammatically incorrect and not suitable for formal writing. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's better to use alternative phrases like "I embodied a genre" or "I represented a genre" to convey your intended meaning accurately. While it may appear in creative contexts where unconventional language is acceptable, it's essential to understand that this usage bends standard grammatical rules. The analysis of the examples provided by Ludwig highlights that authoritative sources tend to use this phrase sparingly, often to emphasize its uniqueness or in creative writing. Therefore, it's advisable to use alternative, grammatically correct phrases in most contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I embodied a genre

Focuses on embodiment rather than being a genre itself.

I represented a genre

Emphasizes representation or typifying a style.

I became known as a genre

Highlights the process of being recognized as a distinct genre.

I defined a genre

Focuses on setting the standards and characteristics of a genre.

I pioneered a genre

Highlights being the originator or innovator of a genre.

I transcended genre boundaries

Emphasizes moving beyond the limitations of existing genres.

My work constituted a genre

Focuses on one's work being the core of a particular genre.

I created a new genre

Highlights the act of establishing a completely original genre.

I fit into a genre

Indicates belonging to or conforming to a specific genre.

I was associated with a genre

Emphasizes being linked or connected to a particular genre.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "I was a genre of" to make it grammatically correct?

Instead of "I was a genre of", try "I embodied a genre", which suggests that you represent the qualities of a particular genre. Other alternatives include "I pioneered a genre" or "My work falls into the genre of...".

What does it mean to "embody a genre"?

To "embody a genre" means that your work, style, or persona strongly reflects the characteristics, themes, and conventions associated with that particular genre. It suggests a deep connection and representation of the genre's essence.

Is it ever appropriate to use "I was a genre of" in writing?

While grammatically incorrect, the phrase might be used creatively in contexts where bending language rules is acceptable, such as in poetry or experimental fiction. However, it's generally best to avoid it in formal or academic writing and in common conversation.

What are some common genres I could associate my work with?

Depending on the context, you might associate your work with genres like "fiction", "non-fiction", "music", "film", or "art". Each of these broad categories contains numerous subgenres, such as "science fiction", "biography", or "hip hop".