a lovely specimen

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a lovely specimen" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something or someone that is particularly attractive or noteworthy, often in a positive or admiring context. Example: "The botanist was thrilled to discover a lovely specimen of the rare flower during her expedition."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

A particularly lovely specimen of the former is this 1791 constitution, not even 10 cm (4 inches) tall, bound in green in morocco with marbled pastedowns, gold-tooled spines, and gilt edges.

Harvard University

So you're sitting at your local bar with your friends, chatting about this and that, when in comes this lovely specimen of the opposite sex.

TechCrunch

Meave Leakey of the National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi, says, "They are a remarkable find" and thinks the species is an australopithecine, while William Kimbel of Arizona State University, Tempe, thinks they are "very lovely specimens" and they are a species of Homo.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Both of these lovely specimens of warty wonder have let the situation get completely out of hand.

Vice

They have found a lovely gnarly trunked specimen, about 6ft tall, for £250.

The Guardian - Money

He picked a lovely pale lavender specimen commonly called a blewit.

The New York Times - Magazine

He is an excellent physical specimen, a lovely natural footballer who would seem to have every gift required – cool head included – to play top-level football.

The Guardian - Sport

Everybody loves a lovely story.

WikiHow

(Love is a Lovely Thing).

Johns Hopkins University

The curved thorns were a lovely golden or reddish color, and young specimens were absolutely charming.

University of California, Berkeley

Despite how they look, however, hake is in fact a beautiful, firm-fleshed fish that makes for a lovely, fresh main course – and these were prime specimens.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a lovely specimen" to describe something that is particularly appealing or noteworthy, especially when highlighting its aesthetic or unique qualities.

Common error

Avoid using "a lovely specimen" excessively in formal writing, as it might come across as too informal or subjective. Opt for more objective and precise language to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lovely specimen" functions primarily as a descriptive expression. It serves to characterize a particular item or individual as possessing notable and pleasing qualities. Lacking examples in Ludwig, it's inferred function remains largely theoretical.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a lovely specimen" is a grammatically sound and usable English expression for describing something with pleasing or noteworthy qualities. As reported by Ludwig AI, while semantically clear, the phrase's actual usage appears limited, with no direct examples available in Ludwig's dataset. This suggests the need for mindful consideration of context and audience when employing the phrase, especially in more formal settings where more precise language might be preferred. Related phrases such as "a beautiful example" or "an exquisite sample" offer suitable alternatives, depending on the specific nuance intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a beautiful example

Replaces 'lovely' with 'beautiful' and 'specimen' with 'example', focusing on aesthetic appeal.

an exquisite sample

Substitutes 'lovely' with 'exquisite' and 'specimen' with 'sample', suggesting refined quality.

a charming instance

Replaces 'lovely' with 'charming' and 'specimen' with 'instance', highlighting pleasantness.

a delightful case

Changes 'lovely' to 'delightful' and 'specimen' to 'case', implying enjoyment.

a fine piece

Uses 'fine' instead of 'lovely' and 'piece' instead of 'specimen', indicating high quality craftsmanship or artistry.

a remarkable item

Replaces 'lovely' with 'remarkable' and 'specimen' with 'item', emphasizing noteworthiness.

an admirable subject

Substitutes 'lovely' with 'admirable' and 'specimen' with 'subject', highlighting praiseworthiness.

a gorgeous exhibit

Changes 'lovely' to 'gorgeous' and 'specimen' to 'exhibit', focusing on visual splendor.

an exceptional model

Replaces 'lovely' with 'exceptional' and 'specimen' with 'model', suggesting superiority.

a wonderful artifact

Substitutes 'lovely' with 'wonderful' and 'specimen' with 'artifact', highlighting impressiveness and historical significance.

FAQs

How can I use "a lovely specimen" in a sentence?

You can use "a lovely specimen" to describe an object or person that is particularly attractive or impressive. For example, "The museum displayed a lovely specimen of ancient pottery".

What are some alternatives to "a lovely specimen"?

Alternatives include "a beautiful example", "an exquisite sample", or "a remarkable item", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. For example, you might use "beautiful example" to focus on aesthetics, or "remarkable item" to emphasize uniqueness.

Is "a lovely specimen" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a lovely specimen" may be perceived as somewhat informal for academic or professional contexts. Consider using more precise and objective language, such as "an exceptional example" or "a noteworthy instance", depending on the context.

What does "a lovely specimen" typically describe?

"A lovely specimen" is commonly used to describe objects with notable aesthetic or unique qualities, such as plants, artifacts, or works of art. It can also be used to describe people, though this usage is less common and should be approached with care. Example: "She was "a beautiful woman"".