a prime specimen of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a prime specimen of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone or something that is considered exemplary, or the very best of its kind. For example: "The painting that she produced was a prime specimen of modern art."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Travel

Books

Encyclopedias

Food

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Eisenberg, on the other hand, is a prime specimen of the sexually unbesmirched overthinker.

The Guardian - Film

You can get into Baldoria, and it's a prime specimen of a special genre, the Italian-American restaurant.

The New York Times - Food

Peter Oborne says in the Daily Mail that Clegg is "a prime specimen of the British political class who has reinvented himself as a rebel and an outsider".

The Guardian

After his years as a prime specimen of hunkus Americanus -- Pauline Kael's cutting coinage -- the movies didn't quite know what to do with him, nor he with them.

The New York Times

But the 18th-century church itself — with intricate stonework and frescos in a riot of pastels — is a prime specimen of Baroque exuberance.

The New York Times

Tuesday night's program opened with Haydn's Symphony No. 102, a prime specimen of his brilliant "London" dozen; Wednesday's included the quirkier Symphony No. 92 in G major ("Oxford").

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The Sterling Forest real-estate company has a double-decker; Disneyland has two, and Six Flags Over Texas owns a prime specimen; William Harrah, of Reno, has an enclosed one, & Henry Austin Clark, Jr., who runs the L.I. Automotive Museum, in Southampton, has several former 5th Ave.

The New Yorker

Joseph Mitchell published two Profiles in this magazine, in 1942 and in 1964, of a prime specimen, the unwashed Greenwich Village rapscallion Joe Gould, who claimed to be at work on a revolutionary literary opus, "An Oral History of Our Time".

The New Yorker

A prime specimen is Anja Grebe's huge, heavy The Vatican: All the Paintings (Black Dog & Leventhal).

The Guardian - Books

If there is a prime specimen representing general vigor, there is general agreement that it is Exit 8A.

The New York Times

If there is such a thing as "the American Dream", Panetta is a prime specimen.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a prime specimen of" when you want to emphasize that something is an excellent and representative example of its kind. For instance, "This museum showcases a prime specimen of Roman architecture."

Common error

Avoid using "a prime specimen of" in very casual or informal settings. It can sound overly formal or pretentious in everyday conversation. Simpler phrases like "a great example of" or "a perfect case of" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a prime specimen of" functions as a noun phrase, acting as a descriptor to identify something as an excellent or typical example of its kind. It's used to highlight exemplary quality or representativeness. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

12%

Arts

9%

Less common in

Travel

3%

Books

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a prime specimen of" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that serves to describe something as an excellent example of its kind. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is most appropriate in formal or neutral contexts, conveying that something is not just a sample but a particularly good one. While not overly common, the phrase appears in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, often to provide an evaluative perspective. When aiming for more casual communication, simpler alternatives should be considered.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an exemplary instance of

Replaces 'prime specimen' with 'exemplary instance', focusing on the quality of being a good example.

a classic example of

Substitutes 'prime specimen' with 'classic example', highlighting the traditional or well-known nature of the example.

a perfect illustration of

Replaces 'prime specimen' with 'perfect illustration', emphasizing the clarity and effectiveness of the example.

a top-tier representation of

Uses 'top-tier representation' instead of 'prime specimen', suggesting the highest level of quality or representation.

a leading manifestation of

Replaces 'prime specimen' with 'leading manifestation', focusing on the prominent or noticeable quality of the example.

a choice selection of

Substitutes 'prime specimen' with 'choice selection', suggesting a careful or deliberate choosing of the example.

an outstanding model of

Uses 'outstanding model' instead of 'prime specimen', emphasizing the exceptional or remarkable nature of the example.

a remarkable embodiment of

Replaces 'prime specimen' with 'remarkable embodiment', highlighting the way the example perfectly expresses or represents something.

a superior exhibit of

Substitutes 'prime specimen' with 'superior exhibit', indicating the high quality or excellence of the example.

an unparalleled demonstration of

Uses 'unparalleled demonstration' instead of 'prime specimen', suggesting that the example is unmatched or unequaled.

FAQs

What does "a prime specimen of" mean?

The phrase "a prime specimen of" means something is an excellent example or a representative of the highest quality within its category. It suggests that the item or person being described is a notable and exemplary instance.

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

You can use "a prime specimen of" to describe anything that exemplifies the best qualities of its type. For example, "The painting is "an exemplary instance of" Baroque art".

What are some alternatives to using "a prime specimen of"?

Alternatives include "a classic example of", "a perfect illustration of", or "an outstanding model of depending" on the context.

Is "a prime specimen of" suitable for all types of writing?

While grammatically correct, "a prime specimen of" is best suited for formal writing, academic papers, or professional reports. In more casual conversation or informal writing, simpler alternatives may be more appropriate.