a deity that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a deity that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific god or goddess in a religious or mythological context, often to describe their attributes or actions. Example: "In many cultures, a deity that represents wisdom is often revered and worshipped."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

How about a deity that apparently rather likes us — humanly imperfect — as we are?

The New Yorker

How about a deity that apparently rather likes us humanly imperfect as we are?

The New Yorker

Today Lobdell prefers the God of Jefferson or Einstein, "a deity that can be seen in the miracles of nature".

The New York Times - Books

It was not my beliefs about the existence of a deity that had changed, but the landscape around me.

The Guardian - Books

Yet, for all this expenditure, water remains an element — a mysterious and unpredictable essence, a deity that is prayed to, cursed, contemplated.

The New Yorker

The gods of Genesis and an early Mesopotamian poem like the "Atrahasis" are violent, punitive creators, and these texts seem unashamed by the idea of a deity that produces both good and evil.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

While the reader may consider many parts of religious (and philosophical) texts amoral and lack a belief in any deity, that does not discount the positive ideas of those writers.

WikiHow

Either way, they appear to be unaware that the Founding Fathers' "nature's God" is a reference, probably a pointed one, to their Deist conception of a strictly creator God, a detached deity that does not trouble itself with the outcomes of football games, illnesses, elections, or wars, including culture wars.

The New Yorker

The head of the lab, for example, is treated as a minor deity (that?s no deity, that?s my wife), and nobody leaves the lab in the evening before the boss.

Science Magazine

The second genre included single deities, while the third genre consisted of divine duos who were actually a single deity that had two different names.

Wikipedia

The steep footpath up Pinkuylluna, a hill that overlooks the town, leads to the ruins of food storage buildings and Tunupa, a rock visage named for an Aymara deity that watches over the village.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a deity that", ensure the following clause clearly defines the deity's specific role, attribute, or function within the context of your writing. For example, "a deity that governs the oceans" is more informative than simply "a deity that is powerful".

Common error

Avoid using "a deity that" in vague or overly broad statements. Instead of saying "a deity that helps people", specify how the deity provides help (e.g., "a deity that offers guidance through dreams").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a deity that" functions as a noun phrase introducing a relative clause. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correctly used to specify and describe a divine being in various contexts. Examples in Ludwig's data show it used to describe the attributes or roles of various deities.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a deity that" is a grammatically sound construction used to introduce and describe a specific divine being. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and provides several examples demonstrating its use across various contexts, particularly in news, encyclopedic, and scientific writing. While it's not exceedingly common, it provides a precise way to discuss deities and their attributes, as demonstrated by the data. When using the phrase, aim for clarity by specifying the deity's specific roles or attributes. Alternatives like "a god who" can be considered for more casual contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a god who

Replaces 'deity' with the more common term 'god' and uses a relative pronoun to connect the description.

a divine being that

Substitutes 'deity' with 'divine being' to broaden the scope beyond traditional gods.

a spiritual entity that

Emphasizes the spiritual aspect, suitable for contexts where the divine nature is less defined.

a higher power that

A more general term, often used when referring to a non-specific or abstract divine force.

a supreme being that

Highlights the authority and dominance of the deity.

a creator god that

Focuses specifically on the deity's role as a creator.

a supernatural force that

Emphasizes the deity's power and its existence beyond the natural world.

an immortal being that

Highlights the deity's eternal nature and existence.

a celestial being that

Indicates the deity's association with the heavens or sky.

a mythical figure that

Emphasizes the deity's role in mythology and legends.

FAQs

How can I use "a deity that" in a sentence?

Use "a deity that" to introduce a specific god or goddess, or divine entity, and then describe one or more of its qualities or roles. For instance, "a deity that represents love" or "a deity that controls the weather".

What are some alternatives to "a deity that"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "a god who", "a divine being that", or "a spiritual entity that".

Is it more appropriate to use "god" instead of "deity"?

While "god" is a more common term, "deity" is useful when referring to gods and goddesses from various religions and mythologies in a neutral or academic context. "Deity" is also useful when referring to non-gendered divine beings.

How does the context affect the choice of words after "a deity that"?

The context dictates the appropriate verb and description. For example, in a discussion of ancient religions, you might say "a deity that was worshipped", whereas in a contemporary fantasy novel, you might say "a deity that grants wishes".