a credible character

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a credible character" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing someone who is trustworthy, believable, or has a reputation for honesty and integrity. Example: "In the story, the protagonist is portrayed as a credible character, making it easy for readers to connect with his struggles."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Credibility is the ethic of fiction, and he is a credible character.

The New Yorker

Is Nina a credible character?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Rachel Botchan is quite good as Sylvia, slowly developing the headstrong maid into a credible character.

The New York Times

An Aiba spokesman said that while Walsh is a "credible character", there was "no favouritism" towards particular national federations.

The Guardian - Sport

Ms. Collins's novels are able to fuse all of these meanings into a credible character embedded in an exciting and complex story.

The New York Times

Although he is played with quiet, existential anguish by Mr. Stoll, Ben is more a philosophical and dramatic device than a credible character.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Comparing the series to its sister show, The X-Files, Shearman and Pearson noted that Henriksen portrays his role "with a confidence that makes him immediately a more credible character than Mulder or Scully would be for an entire season".

Wikipedia

Some storytellers struggle to create a single credible character over the span of a film or novel, so the reduced canvas of a pop song poses a particularly stiff challenge.

The Guardian - Music

Robert Shearman and Lars Pearson, in their book Wanting to Believe: A Critical Guide to The X-Files, Millennium & The Lone Gunmen, felt that Henriksen "seiz[ed] the part with a confidence that makes him immediately a more credible character" than Fox Mulder and Dana Scully, the lead roles in Millennium sister show The X-Files.

Wikipedia

Miles, for many, is less than a fully credible character.

The New York Times - Sports

But, again, Billy Walsh is a very credible character in the boxing world, so we respect him immensely.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When developing a character, focus on consistent motivations and behaviors to ensure they remain "a credible character" throughout the narrative. This builds trust with your audience.

Common error

Avoid introducing sudden, unexplained changes in a character's personality or actions. This can undermine their credibility and leave the audience feeling disconnected from the story. Ensure actions are motivated by established traits to maintain "a credible character".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a credible character" functions as an adjective phrase modifying the noun "character". Ludwig indicates that it describes a character possessing qualities that make them believable and trustworthy within a narrative. This affects how the audience perceives and relates to the character.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

17%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a credible character" is an adjective phrase used to describe a character who is believable, trustworthy, and realistic within a story. Ludwig's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in diverse writing contexts, particularly in news and media. To create "a credible character", authors should focus on consistent motivations and realistic behaviors. Common errors to avoid include introducing sudden and unexplained changes in character traits. Alternatives such as "a believable character" or "a trustworthy character" can be used to add nuance. Remember that the credibility of a character is crucial for audience engagement and story impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a believable character

Replaces "credible" with "believable", focusing on the character's capacity to be believed.

a trustworthy character

Substitutes "credible" with "trustworthy", emphasizing the character's reliability and honesty.

a realistic character

Replaces "credible" with "realistic", highlighting the character's adherence to real-world behaviors and motivations.

an authentic character

Changes "credible" to "authentic", underscoring the character's genuineness and lack of pretense.

a convincing character

Uses "convincing" instead of "credible", suggesting the character effectively persuades the audience of their reality.

a plausible character

Replaces "credible" with "plausible", indicating the character's actions and motivations are believable within the story's context.

a well-developed character

Shifts the focus to the character's depth and complexity rather than just believability.

a relatable character

Highlights the character's ability to connect with the audience on an emotional level.

a three-dimensional character

Emphasizes the character's multifaceted nature and realistic portrayal, going beyond simple stereotypes.

a compelling character

Focuses on the character's ability to capture the audience's interest and maintain their engagement.

FAQs

How can I make my character "a credible character"?

Focus on consistent motivations, believable actions, and realistic flaws. A character who is too perfect or whose actions don't align with their established personality will lack credibility.

What does it mean for a character to be "a credible character"?

It means that the character is believable and realistic within the context of the story. Their actions, motivations, and personality should be consistent and understandable, making it easy for the audience to connect with them.

What are some alternatives to saying "a credible character"?

You can use alternatives like "a believable character", "a trustworthy character", or "a realistic character" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How important is it for a story to have "a credible character"?

Having at least one credible character is crucial for engaging the audience and making the story relatable. Without credibility, the audience may struggle to connect with the narrative, diminishing the overall impact of the story.