a contemporary of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a contemporary of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to someone who lived or existed at the same time as another person, often in a historical or cultural context. Example: "William Shakespeare was a contemporary of Christopher Marlowe, both being prominent playwrights of the Elizabethan era."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

R.A.: Courreges was a contemporary of yours.

The New York Times - Magazine

Borgia was a contemporary of Machiavelli's.

Yale University

Schwarzschild was a contemporary of Einstein.

Yale University

Somehow they think you are a contemporary of Florence Nightingale".

The New Yorker

Peruzzi was a contemporary of Raphael and Donato Bramante.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But Prince Bader is a contemporary of Prince Mohammed.

The New York Times

Learn more about dramatist Ben Jonson, a contemporary of Shakespeare.

Britannica

Learn more about poet Michael Drayton, a contemporary of Shakespeare.

Britannica

Ridley is a contemporary of the Young British Artists.

The Guardian

He was a contemporary of the influential musician Don Drummond.

The Guardian - Music

Except I might prefer a contemporary of Seurat's, Daniel Lambert.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a contemporary of", ensure that both subjects being compared are clearly defined and relevant to the context. This helps provide clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that being "a contemporary of" automatically implies similarity in style, beliefs, or achievements. While they existed at the same time, their approaches may have differed greatly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a contemporary of" functions as a relational phrase, connecting two individuals or entities by indicating they existed or occurred during the same period. Ludwig examples confirm this relational function, showing its use across diverse subjects and contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a contemporary of" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to denote that two or more people or things existed during the same period. Ludwig's AI affirms its validity and broad applicability across various contexts. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Academic sources, indicating its usefulness in providing historical and contextual information. Remember to use "of" after "contemporary", and avoid assuming similarity solely based on shared time periods.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lived in the same era as

Focuses on the period during which someone lived, rather than direct interaction or similarity.

coexisted with

Implies that two entities were present and active in the same environment.

existed in the time of

A more formal and direct way of stating that someone or something was present during a specific period.

belonged to the same generation as

Refers specifically to generational cohorts sharing similar experiences.

shared the same timeline as

Focuses on the overlapping period in the respective life or existence of subjects.

flourished alongside

Highlights simultaneous success or development, suggesting a positive or productive period.

was alive during the same period as

A more verbose way of specifying that two people lived at the same time.

was an equal of

Emphasizes comparable status or achievements, besides existing at the same time.

was in the same cohort as

Used to emphasize a shared group or class, often in academic or research contexts.

was side by side with

Emphasizes close proximity and simultaneous existence or activity.

FAQs

How is "a contemporary of" used in a sentence?

The phrase "a contemporary of" is used to indicate that a person or thing existed during the same time period as another. For example, "Jane Austen was "a contemporary of" Sir Walter Scott" indicates they lived and wrote during roughly the same era.

What's the difference between "a contemporary of" and "a predecessor of"?

"A contemporary of" indicates someone who existed at the same time, while "a predecessor of" indicates someone who came before. They have opposite meanings in terms of time.

What can I say instead of "a contemporary of"?

You can use alternatives like "lived in the same era as", "coexisted with", or "belonged to the same generation as" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a contemporary to" instead of "a contemporary of"?

No, the correct phrasing is "a contemporary of". The preposition "of" is required to indicate the relationship between the two subjects being compared.