a dramatic passage

USAGE SUMMARY

'a dramatic passage' is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to refer to a part of a written work, such as a book or poem, that is particularly moving, intense, or meaningful. For example: "The last paragraph of the poem is a dramatic passage, containing a powerful message of hope."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The short Prelude opens with a dramatic passage for orchestra and piano before a "distant choir" of violins and harp plays a snippet of the hymn "Bethany" ("Nearer My God to Thee").

The New York Times - Arts

At that point, Woodward read to me a dramatic passage from "All the President's Men," the book about the Watergate scandal that he wrote with his former Post colleague Carl Bernstein, in which Mark Felt, the F.B.I. official known as Deep Throat, suggested that the reporters' lives were in danger.

The New Yorker

Embarking this far north, along a wild stretch of the river, gives you the chance to see a wonder few outsiders have ever witnessed: the Irrawaddy's Second Defile, a dramatic passage between soaring limestone cliffs, past hillside monasteries, and along vast swaths of undisturbed forests.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Supporters will be hoping for a less dramatic passage as the horse named after a Polish-born composer, Qatari-owned and Irish-ridden, looks to be a big winner for Germany in this year's "Derby of Derbies".  .

BBC

Everybody was on top form, and at the moment in the first act finale when the king's murder is discovered, the entire company has to sing a loud dramatic passage.

The Guardian - Music

Ogogo was fighting Brazil's Esquiva Falcao, a man who comfortably beat him last year at the World Championships, in front of a crowd that has so far roared Ogogo's emotional and dramatic passage.

Independent

The book's most dramatic passage covers the day in September 1991 when inspectors entered Baghdad's Design Center compound.

The New York Times - Books

This was the most overtly dramatic passage in the piece, but Abraham stylized it, repeating his entreaties in different combinations, and the dancing of the others in the dark gave the scene a dreamlike quality.

The New Yorker

An especially dramatic passage unfolds alongside Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D minor for organ, which the father plays as Jack looks over his shoulder, waiting to turn the page.

The New York Times

But even during this highly dramatic passage, I found myself wincing at Mr. Rice's lyrics: "Show me there's a reason for your wanting me to die," Jesus sings, "You're far too keen on where and how but not so hot on why".

The New York Times

For strokeplay and sustained excitement, Robertson nominates his favourite final as 1954 when Jaroslav Drobny's weighty hitting wore down the resistance of the quicksilver Ken Rosewall; the most dramatic passage of play he says he described was the 34-point tiebreak that John McEnroe won in the 1980 final before he lost in the fifth set to Bjorn Borg.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing writing, use "a dramatic passage" to highlight sections with high emotional impact or significant plot development.

Common error

Avoid using "a dramatic passage" when describing routine or unremarkable parts of a text; reserve it for sections that genuinely evoke strong emotions or create significant tension.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a dramatic passage" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun, where "dramatic" describes the nature of the "passage". It indicates a part of a text, performance, or piece of music that evokes strong emotions or signifies a pivotal moment. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

21%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a dramatic passage" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe a section of text, music, or film characterized by intense emotion or pivotal significance. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias, the phrase serves to highlight key moments and engage the audience. While suitable for a range of contexts, it should be reserved for sections that genuinely warrant such a description. Alternatives such as ""a powerful excerpt"" or ""an intense section"" can offer nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a climactic segment

Substitutes "dramatic" with "climactic", specifically indicating a turning point or high point.

an intense section

Changes "dramatic" to "intense" and "passage" to "section", highlighting the heightened emotional or narrative state.

a powerful excerpt

Substitutes "dramatic" with "powerful" and "passage" with "excerpt", emphasizing impact and selection.

a striking segment

Replaces "dramatic" with "striking" and "passage" with "segment", altering the intensity and focus.

a compelling part

Replaces "dramatic" with "compelling" and "passage" with "part", focusing on the captivating quality of the segment.

a significant excerpt

Changes "dramatic" to "significant", emphasizing the importance and meaning of the segment.

a momentous scene

Substitutes "dramatic" with "momentous" and "passage" with "scene", emphasizing the significance and setting.

a remarkable portion

Changes "dramatic" to "remarkable" and "passage" to "portion", underlining the exceptional quality and extent.

a theatrical scene

Replaces "dramatic" with "theatrical", highlighting the performance aspect of the segment.

an electrifying episode

Replaces "dramatic" with "electrifying" and "passage" with "episode", heightening the excitement and event-like nature.

FAQs

How can I use "a dramatic passage" in a sentence?

You can use "a dramatic passage" to describe a section of text, music, or film that is particularly intense or emotionally charged. For example, "The climax of the play featured "a dramatic passage" where the protagonist confronts their deepest fears".

What are some alternatives to using "a dramatic passage"?

Alternatives include "a powerful excerpt", "an intense section", or "a compelling part", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a dramatic passage" in formal writing?

Yes, "a dramatic passage" is suitable for formal writing when accurately describing a section of text that evokes strong emotion or signifies a pivotal moment.

What makes "a dramatic passage" different from a regular passage?

The term "a dramatic passage" implies that the section is particularly striking, emotionally charged, or significant in terms of plot or character development, setting it apart from more ordinary or descriptive passages.