a distinguished career

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a distinguished career" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a successful professional life or career. For example, "After a distinguished career in the military, he decided to retire and devote more time to his family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Jim had a distinguished career in advertising.

The New York Times

Madia has had a distinguished career.

The New Yorker

Williams once had a distinguished career.

The Guardian - Opinion

By then, it was a distinguished career.

The New York Times - Books

One will be remembered for toughness during a distinguished career.

The New York Times - Sports

He enjoyed a distinguished career as a Financial Officer.

The New York Times

She had a distinguished career in magazine publishing.

The New York Times

Mr. Alexander had a distinguished career as a lawyer.

The New York Times

"She certainly has a distinguished career," Mr. Cornyn said.

The New York Times

It was a sad ending to a distinguished career.

The Guardian - Film

He had a distinguished career in legal education.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a distinguished career", provide specific examples or details that illustrate the achievements and contributions that made the career noteworthy. Don't just state it; show it.

Common error

Avoid using "a distinguished career" as a generic compliment. Instead, highlight key accomplishments, awards, or unique contributions that exemplify the individual's success and set them apart.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a distinguished career" functions as a noun phrase, specifically an adjective modifying the noun "career". It typically serves as a subject complement or object complement, providing descriptive information about a person's professional life. As shown by Ludwig, it is suitable to describe a success.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a distinguished career" is a widely used and accepted phrase to positively describe someone's professional journey. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent appearance in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. It serves to highlight the achievements and respect associated with the career. While the phrase is versatile, it's best suited for formal or professional contexts. When using it, make sure to provide specific examples to showcase the individual's contributions and avoid vagueness. Synonyms like "a brilliant career" or "a successful career" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a brilliant career

Replaces "distinguished" with "brilliant", emphasizing exceptional talent and intelligence.

a successful career

Replaces "distinguished" with "successful", focusing on achievements and positive outcomes.

a remarkable career

Replaces "distinguished" with "remarkable", highlighting the career's unusual or noteworthy nature.

a notable career

Replaces "distinguished" with "notable", suggesting the career is worthy of attention and recognition.

an outstanding career

Replaces "distinguished" with "outstanding", emphasizing excellence and superiority.

an exceptional career

Replaces "distinguished" with "exceptional", suggesting the career is significantly above average.

a prominent career

Replaces "distinguished" with "prominent", emphasizing widespread recognition and influence.

an illustrious career

Replaces "distinguished" with "illustrious", implying fame and high achievement.

an estimable career

Replaces "distinguished" with "estimable", conveying respect and admiration.

a lauded career

Replaces "distinguished" with "lauded", indicating widespread praise and recognition.

FAQs

How can I describe someone who has "a distinguished career"?

You can highlight their specific achievements, contributions to their field, and any awards or recognition they received. Focus on what made their career exceptional.

What are some synonyms for "a distinguished career"?

Alternatives include "a brilliant career", "a successful career", or "a remarkable career", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

In what contexts is "a distinguished career" most appropriate?

It's suitable for formal settings like obituaries, professional biographies, and commendations. It conveys respect and admiration for the individual's accomplishments.

Is it better to say "a distinguished career" or "an illustrious career"?

Both are valid, but "illustrious" suggests greater fame and widespread recognition than "distinguished". Choose the word that best reflects the individual's level of public prominence. For example, it may depend on what kind of "illustrious", or "distinguished" the career has been.