a gesture of recognition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a gesture of recognition" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an action or sign that acknowledges someone's efforts, achievements, or presence. Example: "The award ceremony included a gesture of recognition for all the volunteers who contributed to the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"The first sign of recovery!" He chuckled and shook his head in a gesture of recognition that a lot of hard work still lay ahead.

The New York Times

Along those lines, a senior aide to Mr. Roh said the president-elect planned to visit United States troops before his inauguration, in a gesture of recognition of their importance for the defense of this country.

The New York Times

Havel, talking to students invited to Hradcany as "a gesture of recognition" of their part in restoring the nation to freedom, told them that while progress had been made in building the political and economic system, too many people thought that "freedom means the right to do anything, or that the market and ethics are mutually exclusive".

The Guardian

Others, back in those days of the cold war, saw it as a gesture of recognition of the importance of ordinary working people, whom communism claimed to champion.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

At the same time, he notes that paying the bands something is a good gesture of recognition for anyone putting on a show.

Vice

By Andy Borowitz December 19 ,2012 NEW YORK (The Borowitz Report) — In an extraordinary gesture of recognition for a losing Presidential nominee, Time magazine today named former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney Man of the Year 1912.

The New Yorker

NEW YORK (The Borowitz Report) — In an extraordinary gesture of recognition for a losing Presidential nominee, Time magazine today named former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney Man of the Year 1912.

The New Yorker

The airport said the high street vouchers were a gesture of goodwill in recognition of the "exceptionally difficult" circumstances.

BBC

While mainly seen as a gesture of reconciliation, this recognition caused a small amount of controversy at the time, with then opposition leader John Howard describing it as divisive.

Wikipedia

The march for us is not only a gesture of empathy, but a recognition of our own responsibility as humans and neighbors.

Huffington Post

Critics argued that given the trails' inaccessibility, the ramp's "welcome" was an idle, even disingenuous, gesture of recognition.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a gesture of recognition" when you want to emphasize the symbolic nature of an act that acknowledges someone's contribution or importance.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "a gesture of recognition" may sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "a thank you" or "a nod of appreciation" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a gesture of recognition" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It identifies a specific action intended to convey acknowledgement or appreciation, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a gesture of recognition" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe an action intended to acknowledge someone's efforts or importance. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, it is considered uncommon and leans towards the formal side. When writing, consider the context and audience to determine if a simpler alternative would be more appropriate. Its occurrence is frequent in news and media, and science.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a gesture of acknowledgment

Replaces "recognition" with a more direct term for acknowledging something.

a gesture of appreciation

Emphasizes gratitude as the motivation behind the gesture.

a sign of acknowledgment

Substitutes "gesture" with "sign", highlighting the communicative aspect.

a token of recognition

Highlights the gesture as a symbol or representation of recognition.

a gesture of gratitude

Specifically indicates the gesture is motivated by thankfulness.

an act of recognition

Rephrases "gesture" as a more general "act".

a symbol of recognition

Focuses on the symbolic representation of recognition.

a signal of recognition

Highlights that the gesture functions as a signal.

a measure of recognition

Conveys the idea that the gesture quantifies or indicates the extent of recognition.

a demonstration of recognition

Replaces "gesture" with a more explicit "demonstration".

FAQs

What does "a gesture of recognition" mean?

It refers to an action or sign that acknowledges someone's efforts, achievements, or presence, often in a symbolic or meaningful way.

How to use "a gesture of recognition" in a sentence?

Example: "Presenting the award was a gesture of recognition for her years of dedicated service."

What can I say instead of "a gesture of recognition"?

You can use alternatives like "a gesture of acknowledgment", "a gesture of appreciation", or "a token of recognition depending on the context.

Is "a gesture of recognition" formal or informal?

It leans towards the formal side but can be used in neutral contexts. Consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing when choosing this phrase.