a popular source of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a popular source of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is widely recognized or frequently referred to for information or inspiration. Example: "The internet has become a popular source of information for students conducting research."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

The Bulgarian theatre is also a popular source of entertainment.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Prints of it have been a popular source of anti-French propaganda for generations.

The New Yorker

The island was a popular source of medicinal clay into the 20th century.

The New York Times - Science

It has turned into a popular source of cheap financing for luxury developments.

The New York Times

Few Japanese regularly eat whale meat, which was a popular source of protein during the postwar years of austerity.

The Guardian

Scamp (scampblog.blogspot.com), the brainchild of a BBH creative, is a popular source of this kind of scandal.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Ms. Goodson said that during her six-year tenure at PopSugar, she has seen the rapid rise of Instagram as a popular source for images of famous people in the wild.

The New York Times

In recent years, SNSs such as Facebook have become a tremendously popular source of social media among adolescents and young adults; Facebook is now used by over 90% of college students and is the most popular SNS among university students.

BMJ Open

Websites that allow and promote interaction among users are an increasingly popular source of health information.

Vaccine

To do so, he has turned to an increasingly popular source of financing: wealthy Chinese people who need green cards.

The Guardian

During the past two decades, digital games have become an increasingly popular source of study for academics, educational researchers and instructional designers.

Computers & Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a popular source of", ensure the 'source' is clearly defined and relevant to your context. Avoid vague references.

Common error

Don't assume something is a "popular source of" without backing it up with evidence or context. Otherwise, it might sound like an unsubstantiated claim.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a popular source of" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. Ludwig examples show it identifies something as a well-known or widely used origin or provider.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a popular source of" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something that is well-known or widely used as an origin or provider. Ludwig examples confirm its presence across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias. While Ludwig AI indicates it's suitable, one should ensure that popularity is well-established and relevant to the context, avoiding unsubstantiated claims. Alternatives like "a widely used origin of" or "a common origin of" offer subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a widely used origin of

Replaces 'popular' with 'widely used', focusing on the extent of use rather than its general appeal.

a common origin of

Substitutes 'popular' with 'common', emphasizing frequency and ordinariness.

a favorite origin of

Replaces 'popular' with 'favorite', indicating preference rather than widespread usage.

a well-known origin of

Emphasizes the recognition aspect instead of the frequency of use.

a frequent provider of

Focuses on the act of providing and how often it occurs, rather than general popularity.

a standard origin of

Highlights that the source is conventional and accepted.

a notable origin of

Implies importance and recognition, not necessarily widespread use.

a typical origin of

Stresses that the source is representative and expected.

a usual origin of

Indicates something happens under normal circumstances.

a prominent provider of

Suggests that the provider is important and well-established.

FAQs

How can I use "a popular source of" in a sentence?

You can use "a popular source of" to describe something that is widely recognized or frequently used to obtain something else. For example, "The internet is "a popular source of" information".

What can I say instead of "a popular source of"?

You can use alternatives like "a widely used origin of", "a common origin of", or "a well-known origin of" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a popular source for" instead of "a popular source of"?

While "for" can sometimes be used, "of" is generally more appropriate when indicating the origin or provider. "A popular source for" is better suited when referring to the target audience. For instance, "This website is a popular source for students".

What is the difference between "a major source of" and "a popular source of"?

"A major source of" indicates that something is a significant contributor or origin, whereas "a popular source of" suggests that it is well-known or widely used, regardless of its significance. Popularity doesn't always equate to importance.