a harbinger of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a harbinger of" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is a sign or indication of something to come. Example: The sudden drop in temperature was a harbinger of the approaching winter.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

He was a harbinger of genocide.

The New York Times - Books

Or a harbinger of the future.

The New York Times

A harbinger of things to come, perhaps?

The Economist

A harbinger of things to come?

The Economist

But that wasn't a harbinger of revolution.

The New York Times - Books

"However, it's not a harbinger of resolution".

The New York Times

Lily Tomlin is oversold as a harbinger of the counterculture.

The New York Times - Books

In this, it's a harbinger of future philosophies to come.

The New York Times

— marks him as a harbinger of today's boundary-crossing musicians.

The New York Times - Books

Chester may be a harbinger of fiscal decline.

The New York Times

Was this a harbinger of a Republican victory in November?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a harbinger of" to create a sense of anticipation or foreboding, indicating that the subject is an early sign of something more significant to come. It adds depth to your writing by suggesting future implications.

Common error

Avoid using "a harbinger of" for minor or insignificant events. The phrase implies a substantial future impact, so reserve it for situations where the sign truly portends something important.

Linguistic Context

"A harbinger of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun, indicating that the noun is a sign or indication of something that will happen in the future. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a harbinger of" is a frequently used and grammatically sound prepositional phrase that signals a future event or development. As Ludwig AI validates, it is appropriate for many contexts, particularly in news, science, and business writing. The phrase creates anticipation by suggesting that the subject is an early sign of something more substantial on the horizon. Related phrases include "a predictor of" and "a precursor to", each carrying slightly different nuances. When using this phrase, ensure the subject truly foretells a significant future impact to avoid overstatement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a precursor to

Highlights the role of the current event as leading up to something else.

a forerunner of

Highlights that something comes before something else.

a predictor of

Focuses more directly on the predictive aspect.

an indication of

Broader and less specific than "a harbinger of".

a sign of things to come

Emphasizes that the current event foreshadows a series of future events.

a signal of

Focuses on the communicative aspect of the sign.

a herald of

More formal and literary, suggesting an official announcement.

a portent of

Implies a more ominous or significant future event.

an omen of

Suggests a supernatural or fateful sign.

a taste of

Implies experiencing a small part of something larger that is to come.

FAQs

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

Use "a harbinger of" to describe something that foreshadows a future event. For example, "The early frost was a harbinger of a severe winter."

What are some alternatives to "a harbinger of"?

You can use alternatives like "a precursor to", "a sign of things to come", or "a predictor of" depending on the context.

Is "a harbinger of" formal or informal?

"A harbinger of" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it leans towards a more sophisticated vocabulary. Its appropriateness depends on the overall tone of your writing.

What's the difference between "a harbinger of" and "a sign of"?

"A harbinger of" suggests a more significant and impactful future event, while "a sign of" is a more general indicator. A harbinger carries a stronger sense of foretelling and consequence.