a clear portrait of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a clear portrait of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a detailed and vivid representation of a person, situation, or concept. Example: "The author paints a clear portrait of the protagonist's struggles throughout the novel."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Together, the speakers painted a clear portrait of what design thinking means to them.

Stanford University

Our goal is that readers in the Bay Area, for the first time, will have a clear portrait of the reality and extent of the racial segregation in their communities.

University of California, Berkeley

We have exhausted a thesaurus of options in our attempts to describe these cyclical flashpoints, each of them unique, each of them warranting a clear portrait of its particulars, and yet all of them numbingly related — like a racialized version of "Groundhog Day".

The New Yorker

First and foremost, I reached out to my friends, those few people I trusted to tell me the truth when my inner voice couldn't responsibly paint a clear portrait of my situation.

Forbes

Books, keys and food wrappers paint a clear portrait of their owners' identity.

HuffPost

In other words, the remix never comes out exactly right (as how could it, given how much it constrains its author), and seemingly soul-baring "conceptual confessionalism" often just reveals how hard it is for us to understand ourselves and one another, rather than painting a clear portrait of its author.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

A clearer portrait of Posada's frustration soon emerged, as a baseball executive with knowledge of the discussion characterized him as feeling upset and insulted for being dropped.

The New York Times - Sports

As a clearer portrait of Mr. Veal began to emerge from interviews with friends, acquaintances and co-workers, other motivations, personal as well as political, were suggested.

The New York Times

JACQUELINE FRASER, "A Clearer Portrait of the Lost Boys," Priska C. Juschka Fine Art, 97 North Ninth Street, Williamsburg, [phone] (through Nov. 18).

The New York Times - Arts

The Tony nominations are in, and it would be difficult to come up with a season that presented a clearer portrait of where Broadway is headed and where it has been.

The New York Times

Still, he hopes that continued study of individual cases will produce a clearer portrait of how the brain can send the endocrine glands into such a frenzy that a woman who is not pregnant can appear to be in screaming labor.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a clear portrait of" when you want to convey that something is being represented in a way that is easily understood and leaves little room for ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a clear portrait of" with abstract concepts that are inherently difficult to define precisely. Opt for phrases like "a better understanding of" or "an exploration of" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a clear portrait of" functions as a noun phrase modifier. It typically modifies a noun, indicating that the noun provides a detailed and easily understandable representation of something. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a clear portrait of" is a phrase used to describe something that provides a detailed and easily understandable representation. As Ludwig AI's analysis shows, it is grammatically correct and finds frequent usage in academic, news and media, and encyclopedic contexts. To enhance your writing, remember to use it when you want to emphasize clarity and avoid overusing it with abstract or complex concepts. Alternatives such as "a vivid depiction of" or "a comprehensive representation of" can be used to add variety to your language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a vivid depiction of

Emphasizes the lifelike and detailed quality of the representation.

a comprehensive representation of

Highlights the completeness and thoroughness of the portrayal.

a detailed account of

Focuses on the precision and thoroughness of the description.

an accurate portrayal of

Stresses the correctness and truthfulness of the depiction.

a lucid explanation of

Highlights the ease of understanding and clarity of the explanation.

a sharp delineation of

Emphasizes the distinctness and precision of the outline or description.

a distinct image of

Focuses on the clarity and recognizability of the mental picture.

an insightful perspective on

Highlights the depth and understanding provided.

a transparent view of

Focuses on the unobstructed and easily understood nature of the view.

a well-defined picture of

Emphasizes the sharpness and clarity of the mental image.

FAQs

How can I use "a clear portrait of" in a sentence?

You can use "a clear portrait of" to describe a detailed and easily understood representation. For instance, "The documentary paints "a clear portrait of" the challenges faced by refugees".

What can I say instead of "a clear portrait of"?

You can use alternatives like "a vivid depiction of", "a comprehensive representation of", or "a detailed account of" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "a clear portrait of"?

It is appropriate when you want to emphasize that something is being represented in a way that is easily understood and leaves little room for misinterpretation. For example, "The analysis provides "a clear portrait of" the company's financial health".

What's the difference between "a clear portrait of" and "a stark portrait of"?

"A clear portrait of" emphasizes understanding and detail, while "a stark portrait of" emphasizes a harsh or blunt depiction, often of unpleasant realities. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight clarity or severity.