a mark of privilege

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a mark of privilege" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sign or indication that someone has advantages or benefits not available to others, often due to social or economic status. Example: "Having access to exclusive educational resources is often seen as a mark of privilege in our society."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The rise of communes meant the end of the countship's former significance, but as a mark of privilege, the title of count was quite liberally bestowed by the popes and other sovereigns of the peninsula well into modern times.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Free of creases!" It's a mark of privilege, to be so unburdened, and it is privilege that Brooks Brothers sells, even at this new outlet, which carries only the most casual tributaries of every Brooks Brothers line: Black Fleece, 1818, and so on.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

All such footwear is a mark of rank and privilege.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Clifford Nass has an office overlooking the Oval lawn at Stanford, a university where the use of PowerPoint is so widespread that to refrain from using it is sometimes seen as a mark of seniority and privilege, like egg on one's tie.

The New Yorker

In a country where schooling is the most legible mark of privilege, that matters.

The Economist

Proximity to black people seems to transfer blackness for a few nights, but at the end of the day, it is the highest mark of privilege to systematically oppress people for hundreds of years and then to mimic, perform and market everything within their culture.

Huffington Post

At that point it ceases to be knowledge and simply becomes another mark of privilege.

The Guardian

Since the growth of theguardian.com and its comment threads, the issue crops up among readers who post, with some trying to put together lists of those they suspect bear the mark of privilege they associate with Oxbridge.

The Guardian - Opinion

In her memoir, "Negroland," Margo Jefferson describes the ways black women in America have been "denied the privilege of freely yielding to depression, of flaunting neurosis as a mark of social and psychic complexity".

The New Yorker

I feel like it's mark of my privilege to say while there have been times I have been sometimes daunted by the challenges, I don't feel like I have looked around and sort of wondered if I belong at this company.

Harvard Business Review

What we get is a relentless illustration of the fact that the period marked the end of an era of privilege.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a mark of privilege", ensure the context clearly defines what constitutes the privilege being referenced. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a mark of privilege" in contexts where the supposed 'privilege' is subjective or lacks concrete evidence. This can lead to misinterpretations and undermine the credibility of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a mark of privilege" functions as a noun phrase that identifies something as indicative of an advantage held by an individual or group due to their status or circumstances. This aligns with Ludwig's identification of the phrase as correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a mark of privilege" is a phrase used to denote an indicator of advantage stemming from status. Ludwig identifies the phrase as grammatically sound and usable, although it appears relatively infrequently. The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media and encyclopedias. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity in defining the privilege being referenced to avoid ambiguity. Alternative phrases such as ""a sign of advantage"" or ""an indicator of status"" can be used to convey similar meanings with slight variations in nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A sign of advantage

Replaces "mark" with "sign" and "privilege" with "advantage", focusing on the benefit.

An indicator of status

Substitutes "mark" with "indicator" and "privilege" with "status", highlighting social standing.

A symbol of advantage

Replaces "mark" with "symbol" and "privilege" with "advantage", emphasizing representation.

A hallmark of advantage

Uses "hallmark" instead of "mark", suggesting a distinctive feature of advantage.

A characteristic of status

Replaces "mark" with "characteristic" and "privilege" with "status", focusing on a distinguishing trait.

An emblem of privilege

Replaces "mark" with "emblem", suggesting a symbol representing privilege.

A token of advantage

Uses "token" instead of "mark", implying a visible sign of advantage.

A manifestation of privilege

Replaces "mark" with "manifestation", emphasizing the visible display of privilege.

An attribute of high status

Substitutes "mark" with "attribute" and "privilege" with "high status", focusing on inherent quality.

A demonstration of privilege

Replaces "mark" with "demonstration", highlighting the outward display of privilege.

FAQs

How can I use "a mark of privilege" in a sentence?

You can use "a mark of privilege" to describe something that indicates an advantage or benefit enjoyed by a particular group or individual. For instance, "Attending a prestigious university is often seen as "a mark of privilege"".

What are some alternatives to saying "a mark of privilege"?

Alternatives include "a sign of advantage", "an indicator of status", or "an emblem of privilege" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to describe something as "a mark of privilege"?

Not necessarily. While the term can imply inequality, it can also be used neutrally to identify advantages without judgment. The tone depends on the context and the intent of the speaker or writer.

What's the difference between "a mark of privilege" and "an advantage"?

"An advantage" is a general term for any benefit or edge. "A mark of privilege" specifically indicates that the advantage is due to social, economic, or other forms of unearned status.