a mirror of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a mirror of" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means that something is a reflection or representation of something else. Example: Her behavior was a mirror of her mother's, as they both had a tendency to be overly critical and easily agitated.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We really were a mirror of Britain.

Independent

A mirror of land in water.

Independent

It is a mirror of its maker.

The Guardian - Arts

Ferguson is a mirror of the past.

The Guardian - Film

Fashion is always a mirror of society.

The New York Times

Dover becomes a mirror of our perplexity.

The Guardian - Books

It was a mirror of our lives.

The Guardian

And S‎elma is a mirror of now.

The Guardian - Film

"Society is a mirror of the family," Mr. Westerberg said.

The New York Times

Theirs is a mirror of our own lives.

The New York Times

A return is a mirror of a taxpayer's finances.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a mirror of" when you want to emphasize that something accurately reflects or represents another thing, such as "The movie was a mirror of society's anxieties."

Common error

Avoid assuming that because something is "a mirror of" something else, it is necessarily caused by it. Correlation does not equal causation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a mirror of" functions as a prepositional phrase, often serving as a predicative complement linking a subject to a descriptive attribute. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a common phrase used to show equivalence between two different things. In examples such as "Fashion is always a mirror of society", it renames fashion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a mirror of" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate that something accurately reflects or represents another thing. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's considered grammatically correct and widely used. It frequently appears in diverse sources like News & Media, Science and Formal & Business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the relationship between the two subjects and avoid confusing correlation with causation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a reflection of

This alternative emphasizes the reflective quality, suggesting a direct correspondence or likeness.

a representation of

This phrase highlights the act of standing in for or symbolizing something else.

an echo of

Implies a weaker or less direct reflection, more of a reverberation.

indicative of

Focuses on the sign or signal that something provides about another thing.

a symptom of

Suggests that something is a sign of an underlying condition or problem.

a manifestation of

Highlights the visible or concrete form of something abstract.

a symbol of

Indicates something that stands for or represents something else, often abstract.

reminiscent of

Suggests a similarity that brings something else to mind.

analogous to

Highlights a similarity that allows for comparison between two different things.

corresponding to

Emphasizes a direct, parallel relationship or match between two things.

FAQs

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

You can use "a mirror of" to describe something that accurately reflects or represents something else. For example, "The play was "a mirror of" contemporary social issues".

What are some alternatives to "a mirror of"?

Alternatives include "a reflection of", "a representation of", or "indicative of" depending on the context.

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

"A mirror of" is the more standard and widely accepted phrase. "A mirror to" might be used poetically, but it's less common and can sound awkward.

What's the difference between "a mirror of" and "a reflection of"?

While similar, "a mirror of" often implies a more comprehensive representation, whereas ""a reflection of"" might suggest a partial or distorted view. Both are frequently interchangeable, but the nuance depends on context.