a portrait

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a portrait" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a painting, drawing, or representation of a person, typically focusing on the face and expression. Example: "The artist created a stunning portrait of the young woman, capturing her essence beautifully."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

A portrait painter.

Independent

A portrait agitates us.

The New Yorker

It's a portrait.

The New York Times

India: A portrait.

The Economist

Why have such a portrait?

The New Yorker

"It's a portrait of L.A".

The New York Times - Arts

Above: A portrait of Lei Feng.

The New Yorker

This picture is itself a portrait.

Independent

This isn't a portrait of grief.

The New Yorker

It is a portrait of a person.

The New York Times

It's a portrait without a face.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing "a portrait", be specific about its medium (painting, photograph, drawing), style, and purpose to provide a clearer picture to your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "a portrait" as a catch-all term for any image of a person. Ensure that the image actually captures the essence or likeness of the individual, as opposed to just being a snapshot.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a portrait" functions primarily as a noun phrase, serving as the subject or object within a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples where the phrase refers to a representation of a person, often emphasizing artistic or expressive qualities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a portrait" is a common and grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe a representation of a person, as determined by Ludwig AI. Its frequency across diverse sources, including news, media, and scientific publications, indicates its broad applicability. When using this phrase, it's important to consider context and specify details about the medium and artistic style of the portrait to give the audience a clearer understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a depiction

Focuses on the act of representing someone or something.

a likeness

Highlights the similarity or resemblance to the subject.

a portrayal

Emphasizes the way someone or something is represented or depicted.

a representation

General term for something that stands for or represents something else.

a sketch

Implies a quick or rough drawing or representation.

a painting

Specifies the medium of the portrait as paint.

a drawing

Specifies the medium of the portrait as a drawing.

a photograph

Specifies the medium of the portrait as a photograph.

a rendering

Suggests a more technical or artistic interpretation.

an image

A general term for a visual representation.

FAQs

How to use "a portrait" in a sentence?

You can use "a portrait" to describe a visual representation of a person, such as "The museum displayed "a portrait" of Queen Elizabeth" or "She commissioned an artist to paint "a portrait" of her family."

What can I say instead of "a portrait"?

You can use alternatives like "a likeness", "a depiction", or "a portrayal" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a portrait of" or "a portrait about"?

"A portrait of" is the correct preposition to use when referring to the subject of the portrait. For example, "a portrait of the artist" is correct, while "a portrait about the artist" is not.

What's the difference between "a portrait" and "a snapshot"?

"A portrait" typically aims to capture the essence or character of a person, often through posed settings and artistic techniques, whereas "a snapshot" is usually an informal, candid photograph taken quickly.