a graduate

USAGE SUMMARY

'a graduate' is an acceptable and usable phrase in written English.
For example, you might use it in a sentence like this: "Having worked hard for four years, she was proud to finally be a graduate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A graduate student named R.

The New York Times - Sports

What about a graduate degree?

The New York Times

as a graduate research student.

The New Yorker

I am proud to be a graduate.

The New York Times

A graduate of CCNY.

The New York Times

as a graduate student at Cambridge.

The New Yorker

A graduate of Twin Falls High School.

The New York Times

A graduate of Rutgers.

The New York Times

As a graduate student.

The New Yorker

He was a graduate of N.Y.U.

The New York Times

A graduate of Dalton and Vassar.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a specific institution, follow "a graduate" with "of" and the institution's name (e.g., "a graduate of Harvard University").

Common error

Avoid omitting the indefinite article "a" before "graduate" when referring to someone in general. Saying "He is graduate" is grammatically incorrect; use "He is "a graduate"" instead.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "a graduate" is that of a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. As Ludwig AI shows, it identifies an individual who has successfully completed a course of study.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

8%

Academia

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a graduate" is a common and grammatically sound way to refer to someone who has completed an academic program. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase is versatile, fitting comfortably in news articles, encyclopedic entries, and everyday conversations. To use it effectively, remember to follow it with "of" when specifying the institution. Common errors, like omitting the article "a", should be avoided to maintain grammatical correctness. In summary, understanding its usage ensures clear and accurate communication about educational accomplishments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a university graduate

Specifies graduation from a university.

a college graduate

Specifies graduation from a college.

a degree holder

Focuses on the possession of a degree rather than the act of graduating.

an alumnus

Specifies a former student of a particular school.

a qualified professional

Highlights professional competence gained through education or training.

a passing student

Emphasizes successfully completing the course, differing in focus from graduation.

a certificated individual

Highlights the possession of a certificate, often implying specialized training.

a learned person

Implies extensive knowledge acquired through study, not necessarily formal graduation.

a scholar

Suggests academic excellence and in-depth study.

a former student

Simply indicates someone who previously attended an educational institution.

FAQs

How do I correctly use "a graduate" in a sentence?

Use "a graduate" to refer to someone who has completed a degree or course of study. For example, "She is "a graduate" of Yale University" or "He became "a graduate" after four years of study".

What's the difference between "a graduate" and "an alumnus"?

"A graduate" simply indicates someone who has completed a program of study, while "an alumnus" refers specifically to a former student of a school, college, or university. Not all graduates are alumni, but all alumni are graduates of some institution.

What can I say instead of "a graduate"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a degree holder", "an alumnus", or "a qualified professional".

Is it correct to say "graduate" instead of "a graduate"?

While "graduate" can be used as an adjective (e.g., "graduate studies"), when referring to a person, it's generally more correct to use "a graduate" or another noun phrase (e.g., "a college graduate").