a good omen for

USAGE SUMMARY

"a good omen for" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is generally used to refer to an event or action that is seen as a sign of future success or good luck. For example, "The sunny skies were a good omen for our upcoming trip."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A good omen for Mr Hollande?

The Economist

Not a good omen for Europe.

The New York Times

Not a good omen for a company.

The Washington Post

That was a good omen for us.

The New York Times

This seems a good omen for it.

The Guardian

It was a good omen for the day.

Columbia University

The island's name, Nausicaa, was a good omen for Elsa.

The New Yorker

This is not a good omen for the future.

Independent

That is probably a good omen for all online merchants.

The New York Times - Tech

A good omen for the SNP's #indyref #WhitePaper launch?

The Guardian

Perhaps that was a good omen for Earnhardt.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a good omen for" when you want to suggest that a current event or situation is a positive indication of future success or good fortune for a specific person, group, or event. Ensure the context clearly links the omen to the anticipated positive outcome.

Common error

Avoid assuming that because something seems like "a good omen for" something else, it automatically guarantees a positive outcome. An omen is just an indicator, not a guarantee, so don't overstate the certainty of future success based solely on it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a good omen for" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or clause, indicating that something serves as a positive sign or predictor for a future event or outcome. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of the phrase being correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

10%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a good omen for" is a commonly used phrase indicating a positive sign for future events, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. Analysis shows its usage to be grammatically correct and very frequent in News & Media. While it can appear across different contexts, it's important to remember that it shows a positive outlook, not a guarantee. Considering its frequent use in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, it's a reliable phrase to suggest a hopeful outlook in various writing contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A promising sign for

Emphasizes the potential for future success or positive developments; focuses on the 'sign' aspect.

A harbinger of success for

Suggests the phrase is foreshadowing future success for something. This implies anticipation.

An auspicious start for

Highlights that the beginning is favored by circumstances. Shifts focus to the starting point.

Bodes well for

A more formal way of saying something is a good sign. It places more emphasis on the prediction aspect.

Favorable indication for

Highlights the indication aspect, replacing "omen" with a more direct term. Slightly more formal.

Looking good for

More informal and conversational. Focuses on the present outlook being positive.

A lucky break for

Indicates an unexpected stroke of good fortune. Introduces an element of chance.

Portends well for

Similar to "bodes well", but perhaps carries a slightly stronger connotation of prediction or prophecy.

Spells success for

Uses a metaphor to indicate that the situation implies future success. More figurative.

A positive development for

Focuses on the improvement or advancement that benefits someone or something. More factual and less superstitious.

FAQs

How can I use "a good omen for" in a sentence?

Use "a good omen for" to suggest that a present event signals future success or good luck. For example, "The early rain might be "a good omen for" the crops this season".

What's a more formal alternative to "a good omen for"?

For a more formal tone, you could use "bodes well for" or "portends success for". These options lend a more serious and predictive tone to your writing.

How does "a good omen for" differ from "a promising sign for"?

"A good omen for" implies a more superstitious or traditional belief in signs, while "a promising sign for" suggests a more rational assessment of potential future success based on current indicators.

Can "a good omen for" be used ironically?

Yes, "a good omen for" can be used ironically when the situation is clearly not positive, but the phrase is used in a sarcastic or humorous way to highlight the contrast. Make sure the ironic intention is evident from the surrounding context.