a captain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a captain" is correct and can be used in written English.
Here are some examples of when it can be used: 1. As a subject or predicate noun: "A captain must lead by example." 2. As an appositive: "The team's leader, a captain, was responsible for their victory." 3. As part of a prepositional phrase: "The orders were given by a captain of the ship." 4. As part of a descriptive phrase: "The young, ambitious captain was determined to succeed." 5. As part of a comparative phrase: "Her skills as a captain far surpassed those of her predecessor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A: Captain America.

Huffington Post

He retired a Captain.

The New York Times

a captain? a general?

The New York Times

That is a captain.

The New York Times - Sports

He left the reserve as a captain.

The New York Times

A captain is someone who emerges.

The New York Times - Sports

What a captain.

The New York Times - Sports

Gary was a captain.

The Guardian - Sport

A captain hovered.

The New York Times

A captain commanded the anarchists to disperse.

The New Yorker

He was a captain in the Army.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a captain", ensure the context clearly defines the type of leadership being referenced, whether it's in sports, military, or business.

Common error

Avoid using "a captain" when referring to a specific, already identified captain. Use "the captain" instead to denote a specific individual.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a captain" functions primarily as a noun phrase, serving to identify an individual holding a position of leadership or command. As Ludwig AI shows, it often introduces or describes someone in charge.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a captain" is a common noun phrase used to denote a person in a position of leadership or authority. As Ludwig AI has confirmed, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted across various contexts. The examples illustrate that "a captain" can refer to leaders in sports, the military, or even metaphorical "captains" in other fields. While typically neutral in register, context is crucial in defining the specific implication of the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a leader

Focuses on the aspect of guiding and directing others, similar to a captain's role.

a commander

Emphasizes authority and control, particularly in military or structured settings.

a skipper

Specifically refers to the person in charge of a boat or ship, a nautical synonym.

a pilot in command

Highlights the responsibility for the safe operation of an aircraft.

a commanding officer

Formally denotes the officer in charge of a military unit.

a head

Suggests someone at the top of an organization or project.

a director

Implies management and oversight, often in a corporate or organizational context.

a chief

Indicates a position of leadership or authority, often within a specific group or department.

a master

Implies control or ownership, similar to a ship's master.

a superintendent

Oversees a project or organization.

FAQs

How can I use "a captain" in a sentence?

You can use "a captain" in various contexts, such as "He was "a captain in the army"" or "Every team needs "a strong captain"".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "a captain"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "a leader", "a commander", or "a skipper".

When should I use "a captain" versus "the captain"?

Use "a captain" when referring to any captain in general. Use "the captain" when referring to a specific captain already identified or known in the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a captain is"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. For example, you can say "A captain is a leader".