a mark of recognition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a mark of recognition" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a symbol, gesture, or award that signifies acknowledgment or appreciation of someone's achievements or contributions. Example: "The award she received was a mark of recognition for her outstanding service to the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Lalanya Masters, who plays Jackson's wife, Gloria, saw the warts-and-all treatment as a mark of recognition.

The New York Times - Style

The warrant is meant as a mark of recognition and gives the holder the official right to bear the royal arms in connection to their business.

The Guardian

However, Stefan Szymanski, an economist at Cass Business School in London, suggests that hosting the Olympics may be a mark of recognition: the effect rather than the cause of change.

The Economist

Today royal warrants, which have been issued by the British royal family since the 15th century, are a mark of recognition for companies who have supplied goods or services for at least five years to Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip or Prince Charles.

The New York Times

Scientific criticism suggests "that you are onto something … definitely important enough that people feel that they should … position themselves in terms of agreeing or disagreeing with what you've found, so it is already a mark of recognition".

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

By 1632 Poussin had been elected a member of the Guild of St . Lukein Rome, a mark of official recognition that provides evidence of his growing reputation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Winning the Pritzker should be less a career-development move than a punctuation mark of recognition, an acknowledgment by the world that someone's work matters for everyone else.

The New Yorker

A team which wins 3 times in a row, receives an original copy of the trophy and a special mark of recognition.

Wikipedia

The brand first gave the queen a bag in 1968 and she later granted them the Royal Warrant (a high mark of recognition reserved for goods or services that supply Her Majesty, the Duke of Edinburgh or the Prince of Wales).

Huffington Post

Pavel Tretyakov's purchase for his gallery of Vasnetsov's painting The Gray Day (1883) was a mark of Vasnetsov's improving status and recognition.

Encyclopedia Britannica

According to local residents reached by telephone, militants announced Mr. Zadran's death via loudspeaker across Miram Shah, the main town in North Waziristan — the first such mark of public recognition for a drone victim since the C.I.A.-led campaign started in 2004, and a mark of the seniority of the slain commander.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a mark of recognition" when you want to emphasize that something serves as a clear and distinct signal of acknowledgement or appreciation. Consider the context to ensure the phrase appropriately conveys the intended level of formality and significance.

Common error

Avoid using "a mark of recognition" in casual or informal settings where simpler, more direct language would be more appropriate. Phrases like "a shout-out" or "props" may be better fits for less formal situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a mark of recognition" functions primarily as a noun phrase. Based on Ludwig's examples, it acts as a subject complement, describing what something is (e.g., "The warrant is a mark of recognition"). It can also function as an appositive, further defining a noun.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a mark of recognition" is a grammatically correct noun phrase signifying acknowledgement or appreciation, as Ludwig AI confirms. While not exceedingly common, it's appropriate in semi-formal to formal contexts, frequently appearing in news media and encyclopedias. Its purpose is to convey the significance of achievements or contributions. When using the phrase, ensure it aligns with the context and formality level, avoiding overuse in casual settings. Alternatives like "a sign of approval" or "a token of appreciation" may suit informal situations better. Therefore, "a mark of recognition" is a valuable phrase, if used judiciously.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an indication of acknowledgment

Replaces 'mark' with 'indication' and 'recognition' with 'acknowledgment', focusing on the act of acknowledging something.

a symbol of validation

Substitutes 'mark' with 'symbol' and 'recognition' with 'validation', emphasizing confirmation of worth.

a token of appreciation

Uses 'token' instead of 'mark' and 'appreciation' for 'recognition', highlighting gratitude.

a sign of approval

Replaces the phrase with a more direct expression of acceptance or endorsement.

a testament to achievement

Highlights the achievement aspect, signifying proof of accomplishment rather than simple recognition.

an emblem of honor

Focuses on the honor bestowed, suggesting a formal acknowledgment of merit.

a badge of distinction

Emphasizes the distinctiveness conferred by the recognition.

an award for merit

Replaces the concept with a formal award, denoting outstanding quality or worthiness.

official sanction

Focuses on formal approval or authorization, rather than general recognition.

public acclaim

Emphasizes the public's approval and praise.

FAQs

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

You can use "a mark of recognition" to describe an award, honor, or symbol that signifies acknowledgment or appreciation, as in, "The award she received was "a mark of recognition" for her service to the community."

What are some alternatives to "a mark of recognition"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "a sign of approval", "a token of appreciation", or "an emblem of honor".

Is "a mark of recognition" formal or informal?

"A mark of recognition" is generally considered a semi-formal to formal phrase, suitable for professional, academic, or news-related contexts. Simpler terms might be preferable for casual conversations.

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

While similar, "a mark of recognition" implies something more deliberate and symbolic than "a sign of recognition". A mark is often a formal symbol, while a sign can be more general or informal.