a famous character

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "a famous character" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever referring to a character who is well-known or renowned. For example: Harry Potter is a famous character created by author JK Rowling.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Here is the dandy Cadet Roussel, a famous character in traditional French song.

Princeton University

It is not surprising that Street is a famous character in these parts.

The New York Times - Sports

With 'Sinbad,' I had a picture built around a famous character".

The New York Times

Mr. Begley recalled how his father, Ed Begley, a famous character actor, drove him to his first day of work in show business, which was as a cameraman.

The New York Times - Style

Changing the actor playing a famous character has become the vogue in Hollywood, where studios will try anything to keep a franchise going, and this is a trend that actually seems to be finding favour with the movie-going public.

Independent

When Charles Dickens spoke of the "oversleeping Rip van Winkles" who populate the Courts of Chancery in Bleak House (1853), he was alluding to a famous character created by the American writer Washington Irving in his Sketch Book (1819-20).

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

He's a very famous character in north polar science and south polar science". Jim Lotz, a historian in Halifax, knew Walker well.

Los Angeles Times

That movie had the advantage of a more famous character, as well as major star Robert Downey Jr.

The Guardian - Film

My training is to inhabit a very famous character like Hamlet and make him surprising.

HuffPost

This name drew a direct comparison between the voluble Mitică and an equally famous character in Romanian literature, the aloof, rational, and god-like protagonist of Mihai Eminescu's poem Luceafărul ("The Morning Star").

Wikipedia

He's a very big, famous character in English literature.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone as "a famous character", consider specifying the source of their fame (e.g., "a famous character in literature" or "a famous character in history") to provide more context.

Common error

Avoid repeatedly using "a famous character" without providing specific details or examples. This can make your writing sound generic and uninformative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a famous character" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "famous" modifies the noun "character". Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It typically acts as a subject complement or object in a sentence, identifying or describing someone well-known.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a famous character" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe a well-known figure from various sources. Ludwig AI validates this usage, and its frequency across diverse media suggests its broad applicability. While appropriate in most contexts, being specific about the source of the character's fame will add clarity. Consider alternative phrases like ""a well-known character"" or ""an iconic character"" to add nuance. Be mindful to provide context to avoid vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a well-known character

Replaces "famous" with a synonym, maintaining a similar level of formality.

a celebrated figure

Emphasizes the positive recognition associated with the character.

a prominent personality

Shifts the focus to the character's influence or importance.

an iconic character

Highlights the character's symbolic or representative status.

a renowned individual

Uses more formal language to describe a famous person.

a notable personage

Employs elevated and somewhat archaic diction.

a legendary character

Suggests the character's fame is long-standing and perhaps exaggerated.

a popular character

Focuses on widespread liking or appeal.

a notorious character

Implies fame due to negative or scandalous reasons.

a figure of renown

Uses a more complex noun phrase construction.

FAQs

How can I use "a famous character" in a sentence?

You can use "a famous character" to describe a well-known individual from fiction, history, or popular culture. For example: "Sherlock Holmes is "a famous character" in detective literature".

What are some alternatives to saying "a famous character"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "a well-known character", "an iconic character", or "a celebrated figure".

Is it appropriate to use "a famous character" in formal writing?

Yes, "a famous character" is generally appropriate for formal writing, especially when providing context for the character's fame or significance. However, in some cases, more specific or sophisticated language may be preferable, like "a renowned individual".

What's the difference between "a famous character" and "a notorious character"?

"A famous character" simply means that the character is well-known. "A notorious character", on the other hand, implies that the character is famous for negative reasons, such as criminal activity or scandalous behavior like "a notorious character".