a dear thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a dear thing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express affection or endearment towards an object, person, or concept that is cherished or valued. Example: "She always refers to her old teddy bear as a dear thing, a reminder of her childhood."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It ends in the death of a dear thing thrown away, as it were a careless trifle".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"It's a good thing my dear old Mum and Pup are no longer alive," he wrote on The Daily Beast, a new Web site created by the editor Tina Brown.

The New York Times

Mazzini is not a dear little thing.

The New Yorker

"People always expect me to be a dear old thing in a cottage with roses round the door and a pussy cat on my knee," says Babette Cole.

The Guardian

Anyway, the Graf is a dear old thing.

Forbes

"You won't believe, dear Louise, what a good thing this Pommade Divine is," wrote Marie Antoinette's great grandmother to a friend.

The Guardian

I began to read as widely as I could about this strange, dear thing that I had so long been frightened of.

The New Yorker

How did you let this dear thing go?

Huffington Post

I reached past the wallpaper we'd bargained for to keep the sleep out during the years he'd tried to eat, past the rack of sneezing salts the father'd shoved into him when he would lie, explanations guarding my (his lidless mother's) actions and reactions (that dear dear thing, such halls of cells, none that I'd wanted, here or there).

Vice

Although there is no one style of Italian cooking, there being a wide variety of regional differences, Italians everywhere share a love of noodles, and pastas bear such euphonious names as spaghetti ("little strings"), penne ("feathers"), macaroni ("little dear things"), and orecchiette ("little ears").

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is hard not to look at the world around you and see only the destruction of the things that Miyazaki holds dear, things like the environment, female empowerment, independent spirit, the imagination, artistic craft, and, yes, old-school aeroplanes.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and tone when using this phrase, as it may sound old-fashioned or overly sentimental in some modern contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "a dear thing" in professional or academic writing, as it can come across as too informal or sentimental. Opt for more neutral or precise language to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a dear thing" functions primarily as a noun phrase where the adjective "dear" modifies the noun "thing", expressing affection or endearment. Ludwig AI indicates that it is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a dear thing" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English, primarily functioning as a noun phrase to convey affection or endearment. While its use is not overly common, it appears in various contexts, including News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Wiki sources. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, and it's important to consider its informal and sentimental nature when using it in writing. Alternatives like "a beloved item" or "a cherished possession" may be more appropriate in formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a beloved item

Focuses on the loved aspect, replacing "dear" with "beloved" and "thing" with "item".

a cherished possession

Highlights the treasured nature, using "cherished" instead of "dear" and "possession" instead of "thing".

a precious object

Emphasizes the value and rarity, substituting "dear" with "precious" and "thing" with "object".

a valued treasure

Stresses the importance and worth, replacing "dear" with "valued" and "thing" with "treasure".

a loved one

Specifically refers to a person who is loved, which is a common application of the original phrase.

a prized possession

Highlights the status and pride associated with the item, using "prized" instead of "dear".

something treasured

Focuses on the act of treasuring, shifting the emphasis from the adjective to the verb.

an adored object

Emphasizes the feeling of adoration towards the object, using "adored" instead of "dear".

a special item

Highlights the uniqueness and importance, replacing "dear" with "special".

a significant object

Stresses the importance and meaning associated with the object, using "significant" instead of "dear".

FAQs

What does "a dear thing" mean?

The phrase "a dear thing" is used to describe something that is regarded with affection or endearment. It suggests that the object, person, or concept being referred to is cherished and valued.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a dear thing"?

It's appropriate to use "a dear thing" in contexts where you want to express fondness or sentimental attachment. It is more common in informal or literary settings.

What are some alternatives to "a dear thing"?

You can use alternatives like "a beloved item", "a cherished possession", or "a precious object" depending on the context.

Is "a dear thing" formal or informal?

"A dear thing" is generally considered to be an informal and somewhat sentimental expression. It's less common in formal writing and more suited to personal or creative contexts.