a font of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a font of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a source of something, often knowledge or information. Example: "She is a font of wisdom when it comes to historical events."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

IT IS a font of economic growth.

The Economist

Gyory is a font of analogies.

The New Yorker

Alaji was a font of ornithological information.

The Guardian - Travel

Each page is a font of information.

The New York Times - Books

Her passionate curiosity made her a font of arcane information.

The New York Times

The affable owner, Laurent, is a font of local knowledge.

The Guardian - Travel

But Bertie himself isn't exactly a font of sympathy.

The Guardian - Film

For years this theater was a font of creativity.

The New York Times

This diary was a font of inspiration for William Faulkner.

The New Yorker

That man is just a font of humanity.

The New York Times

In Foley, Woods will find a font of information.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a font of" to describe someone or something that provides a generous supply of information, ideas, or qualities. It's particularly effective when emphasizing abundance and richness.

Common error

Avoid using "a font of" in literal contexts where "source" or "supply" would be more appropriate. The phrase is most effective when used figuratively to highlight an abundant and often intangible resource.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a font of" functions as a noun phrase complement, typically following a verb like "is" or "was". It describes the subject by attributing to it the characteristic of being a source of something. Ludwig's examples confirm its use in attributing qualities such as being "a font of information", "a font of creativity", or "a font of love".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Encyclopedias

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a font of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, primarily found in news and media contexts to describe something or someone as a rich and abundant source of a particular quality or resource. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and suitability for characterizing subjects with qualities like knowledge, creativity, or love. While alternatives like "a source of" exist, "a font of" carries a slightly more figurative and emphatic tone, making it ideal for highlighting abundance and richness in descriptive writing. It's important to use it figuratively, avoiding literal interpretations where simpler terms like "source" would suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fount of

A synonym for "font", maintaining the slightly archaic and metaphorical tone.

a source of

Replaces "font" with a more common synonym, reducing the metaphoric intensity.

a wellspring of

Emphasizes the abundant and continuous nature of the source, adding a sense of richness.

an origin of

Directly states the starting point or beginning of something.

a repository of

Suggests a place or entity that stores or contains a large amount of something.

an abundance of

Focuses on the plentiful quantity rather than the origin itself.

a treasure trove of

Implies that the source is valuable and contains hidden gems.

a center of

Indicates a focal point or hub for a particular activity or resource.

a hotbed of

Suggests a place where something, often controversial or intense, originates and thrives.

a breeding ground for

Emphasizes the development and propagation of something, often with a slightly negative connotation.

FAQs

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

Use "a font of" to describe someone or something that is a rich source of a particular quality or resource. For example, "The historian was "a font of" information about the Civil War".

What's a good alternative to "a font of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "a source of", "a wellspring of", or "a repository of".

Is it better to say "a font of knowledge" or "a source of knowledge"?

"A font of knowledge" is more figurative and emphasizes abundance, while "a source of knowledge" is more literal and straightforward. Choose the phrase that best suits the tone and context of your writing. In many cases, these can be used interchangeably but you might consider "a font of" when you mean a particularly abundant supply.

What does it mean to be "a font of" something?

To be "a font of" something means that you are a plentiful and readily available source of that thing, whether it's knowledge, ideas, or inspiration. The term implies that you possess a great quantity of it and can easily share it with others.