a prodigious talent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a prodigious talent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who has exceptional skill or ability in a particular area, often in the context of arts, sports, or intellectual pursuits. Example: "The young musician displayed a prodigious talent for playing the piano, captivating audiences with her performances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

He's a prodigious talent.

The New York Times - Arts

Gordon is a prodigious talent.

The New York Times - Sports

A prodigious talent, he was soon put in charge of all competition entries.

The Guardian - Arts

"How could you not? "He had a prodigious talent, a great delivery and great timing.

The New York Times - Arts

The 6-foot-5 Bolt, 21, who was aided by an allowable tailwind, is undeniably a prodigious talent.

The New York Times - Sports

Be sure to catch his exhibition when it begins its tour this month, and be eternally grateful that such a prodigious talent wasn't wasted on the Church.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

While old mucker Elvis Costello hangs with Sting, endorses cars and credit cards, and fails perennially to add a single memorable melody to his repertoire, Lowe has sharpened an already prodigious talent in the six years since The Convincer.

The Guardian - Music

He chose to work with an equally prodigious talent by the name of Teddy Riley.

Huffington Post

A witty and insightful individual, Levine was a painter of prodigious talent and great integrity who imparted a wry and penetrating social commentary to his work, deftly critiquing the hypocrisy and injustice in American society.

The New York Times

He is a man of prodigious talent but there is a reason why he has made only two starts for Stuttgart since joining them in the winter break while Zidane is a galactico.

The Guardian - Sport

But Peralta first made his international mark at age 15 at the Tokyo Jazz Festival, where he and his trio performed a set that confirmed a pianist with prodigious talent. .

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone as having "a prodigious talent", specify the area or field in which they excel to provide context and clarity. For example, "a prodigious talent for painting" or "a prodigious talent in mathematics".

Common error

Avoid using "a prodigious talent" too broadly. If you can't identify a specific area where the person excels, consider using a more general term like "highly skilled" or "exceptionally gifted".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a prodigious talent" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject complement or object complement. It identifies and describes someone's exceptional ability or skill in a particular area. Ludwig AI validates this usage through numerous examples from diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Sports

12%

Arts

8%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a prodigious talent" is a correct and common phrase used to describe someone with exceptional ability. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples from various sources. This phrase is most frequently found in news, sports, and arts contexts, highlighting admiration and appreciation for outstanding skills. While suitable for neutral and formal settings, it can also be used in some informal conversation, so avoid overusing it and be specific when describing one's talent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an exceptional talent

Replaces "prodigious" with "exceptional", focusing on the rarity and remarkableness of the talent.

an extraordinary gift

Substitutes "talent" with "gift", emphasizing the innate and often natural quality of the ability.

a remarkable ability

Uses "ability" instead of "talent", highlighting the capacity to perform a specific task or skill exceptionally well.

a phenomenal aptitude

Employs "aptitude" to suggest a natural inclination or inherent potential for excelling in a particular area.

a natural genius

Highlights an innate and exceptional intellectual or creative power.

an innate mastery

Focuses on the inherent skill and deep understanding in a particular field.

a virtuoso performer

Specifically emphasizes outstanding technical skill in a performing art.

a skilled expert

Highlights competence and knowledge gained through experience.

an accomplished master

Highlights significant achievements and expertise in a particular domain.

a celebrated prodigy

Focuses on early display of exceptional talent, warranting widespread praise and admiration.

FAQs

How can I use "a prodigious talent" in a sentence?

You can use "a prodigious talent" to describe someone who has exceptional skill or ability in a particular area. For example, "She has "a prodigious talent" for music and plays several instruments." or "The young artist displayed "a prodigious talent" for painting at a very young age".

What are some alternatives to "a prodigious talent"?

Some alternatives to "a prodigious talent" include "an exceptional talent", "an extraordinary gift", "a remarkable ability", or "a natural genius". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "prodigious talent" or "great talent"?

"Prodigious talent" suggests a talent that is remarkably great, abundant, or impressive, implying a higher degree of exceptionality than simply "great talent". However, "great talent" is also perfectly acceptable and commonly used.

What's the difference between a "prodigy" and someone with "a prodigious talent"?

A "prodigy" refers to a young person who demonstrates exceptional qualities or abilities at an early age, while ""a prodigious talent"" describes the exceptional ability itself, regardless of the person's age. A prodigy possesses "a prodigious talent".