a facet of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a facet of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe a particular aspect or feature of something. For example, "Yoga is a facet of holistic health."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Is this a facet of his personality?

The Guardian - Film

Food has become a facet of fashionable style in England.

The New York Times - Travel

Sly hostility seems to be a facet of the screenwriter Paul Rudnick's talent.

The New York Times

Each phrase was precise, considered, sculptured, like a facet of a diamond.

The New York Times - Arts

But Transneft's role in oil exports is itself a facet of the debate.

The New York Times

"It's a facet of the game we haven't looked at this way," he said.

The New York Times

"But we wanted to show a facet of America that hasn't been showcased before".

The New York Times

To the Greek citizen, it was no big deal; just a facet of (male) human desire.

The Guardian - Opinion

Sly hostility seems to be a facet of the writer Paul Rudnick's talent.

The New York Times

His name is Mike, but he is a facet of Everyman.

The Guardian

They argue among themselves - sometimes as if each were a facet of a single person.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a facet of" when you want to emphasize that something is one of many aspects contributing to a larger entity or concept. It adds a layer of sophistication to your writing, indicating careful consideration of the subject's complexity.

Common error

Avoid using "a facet of" in contexts where simpler alternatives like "part of" or "aspect of" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound pretentious or unnecessarily complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a facet of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun, indicating that the noun is one aspect or component of something larger. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a facet of" is a grammatically correct and frequently used prepositional phrase that effectively highlights a specific aspect or element within a broader context. As supported by Ludwig AI, its versatile nature allows for use across various domains, including news, science, and encyclopedic content. While simpler alternatives exist, using "a facet of" can add sophistication to writing when used appropriately, emphasizing the complexity and multifaceted nature of the subject being discussed. Overusing "a facet of" can make your writing sound pretentious, so it's best to use it in moderation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an aspect of

Replaces "facet" with "aspect", focusing on a particular side or feature.

a component of

Replaces "facet" with "component", highlighting the role as a constituent part.

an element of

Replaces "facet" with "element", suggesting a basic or essential part.

a part of

Uses the simple term "part" instead of "facet", for general inclusion.

a feature of

Replaces "facet" with "feature", focusing on a notable characteristic.

an attribute of

Replaces "facet" with "attribute", indicating a quality or characteristic.

a side of

Offers a less formal alternative, indicating a particular perspective.

an angle of

Suggests a particular viewpoint or way of considering something.

a characteristic of

More formal, highlighting a distinguishing feature or quality.

a dimension of

Emphasizes the complexity by suggesting a measurable extent or aspect.

FAQs

How can I use "a facet of" in a sentence?

Use "a facet of" to indicate that something is one aspect or part of a larger whole. For example, "Effective communication is "a facet of" successful leadership".

What are some alternatives to "a facet of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "an aspect of", "a component of", or "a part of". Choose the alternative that best fits the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "facet of" without the article "a"?

While you might occasionally see "facet of" without the article "a", it is generally more grammatically correct and stylistically appropriate to use the article "a" before "facet of" when referring to a single aspect or element.

What's the difference between "a facet of" and "an aspect of"?

While "a facet of" and "an aspect of" are often interchangeable, "facet" suggests a more refined or carefully considered perspective, like one of the polished surfaces of a gem. "Aspect" is a more general term for a feature or side.