a prime exemplar of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a prime exemplar of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that serves as an excellent or typical example of a particular quality or characteristic. Example: "Her performance in the play was a prime exemplar of dedication and talent."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Tiny Iceland is a prime exemplar of the complexities wrought by warming climate.

Columbia University

He is also now a prime exemplar of South Africa's new black business elite: mid-40's, hyperintelligent, hardworking, well-connected, ambitious, arrogant and still prone to throwing the superhero cape of the freedom fighter over his bespoke pinstriped suits.

The New York Times - Magazine

As he tinkered, Griffith became a prime exemplar of "maker culture" — a community of sophisticated do-it-yourselfers who view hardware in the same provisional way that computer hackers view software, and who believe that making, modifying, and repairing things can be an antidote to throwaway consumerism.

The New Yorker

The seat is also, the focus group indicated, a prime exemplar of the mutual Labour and Conservative conundrum around much of the country of how to make the voters feel that the parties are not just much of a muchness – and are all focused elsewhere anyway.

The Guardian

Those last eight years, before his early death from cancer in 1988, saw him scorned by studios and backers as the archetypal last Hollywood hippie (Ashby can be seen in all his patchouli'd finery in the very first shot of The Landlord, at his own third, beads and kaftan-heavy, wedding that year) and a prime exemplar of the drug-fuelled 70s Hollywood that the suits wanted to get past.

The Guardian - Film

For Reyner Banham, Tange was a prime exemplar of the use of Brutalist architecture.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Although Trump poses as a champion of the common man, he is a prime exemplar and beneficiary of oligarchical capitalism.

The New Yorker

(On this, a lengthy article in The American Interest gathers much of what can be gleaned from public filings and court records). Although Trump poses as a champion of the common man, he is a prime exemplar and beneficiary of oligarchical capitalism.

The New Yorker

Milo Yiannopoulos, though gay as well as young, white, and male, is a prime exemplar.

Huffington Post

This, it seems, happened: At the 1997 trial of Maurice Papon, prime exemplar of the shames and silences of wartime Vichy (he authorized the deportation of hundreds of Bordeaux Jews to Germany and rose postwar to handsome political office), a man in a home-made clown suit was barred from entering the courtroom.

The New York Times - Books

The survey of European art from 1907 till 1940 in the painting and sculpture galleries on the second floor of the museum has been the sanctuary and prime exemplar of that same High Modernism ever since the museum was reopened in 1985.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a prime exemplar of" when you want to highlight something as an outstanding or definitive example. It adds a touch of formality and emphasizes the quality of the example.

Common error

Avoid using "a prime exemplar of" in casual or informal writing. Simpler phrases like "a great example of" or "a perfect illustration of" are often more appropriate for everyday conversation or less formal written pieces.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a prime exemplar of" functions as a noun phrase that introduces a specific instance or example. As Ludwig AI points out, it designates something as an outstanding or typical representation of a quality or characteristic. It emphasizes the representative role of the noun.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a prime exemplar of" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that denotes an outstanding example of something. Ludwig AI confirms its suitability for formal writing. While not extremely frequent, its usage is consistent in news media and academic contexts. When aiming for clarity and precision in your writing, particularly when illustrating a concept with a notable instance, "a prime exemplar of" can be a valuable addition to your vocabulary. However, remember to consider the register and opt for simpler alternatives in less formal situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a leading instance of

Substitutes "prime exemplar" with "leading instance", focusing on the idea of being a prominent example.

a chief illustration of

Replaces "exemplar" with "illustration", highlighting the clarifying or explanatory nature of the example.

a foremost demonstration of

Emphasizes the act of showing or proving something through the example.

a principal model of

Focuses on the example as a pattern or standard to be followed.

a notable embodiment of

Highlights the example as a tangible representation of an abstract quality or concept.

a key archetype of

Presents the example as a typical or ideal instance of something.

a significant portrayal of

Focuses on the example as a way of depicting or representing something.

a striking manifestation of

Emphasizes the clear and obvious appearance or demonstration of something.

a telling depiction of

Highlights how the example reveals something significant about the larger concept.

a representative sample of

Shifts the focus to the example as being typical or characteristic of a larger group.

FAQs

How can I use "a prime exemplar of" in a sentence?

You can use "a prime exemplar of" to highlight a specific example that perfectly represents a broader concept. For instance, "The Mona Lisa is a prime exemplar of Renaissance portraiture."

What are some alternatives to "a prime exemplar of"?

Consider using phrases like "a leading example of", "a perfect illustration of", or "a key model of" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a prime exemplar of" formal or informal?

"A prime exemplar of" leans toward the formal side. In more casual settings, simpler alternatives like "a great example of" or "a perfect illustration of" might be more suitable.

What makes something "a prime exemplar of" something else?

Something becomes "a prime exemplar of" a concept when it showcases the defining characteristics of that concept in a clear, compelling, and often exemplary manner. It's not just an example, but a particularly good one.