a representative character

USAGE SUMMARY

"a representative character" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to a character that personifies a particular type of person or thing. For example, you could say "One of the most memorable and representative characters in the novel is the wealthy, arrogant businessman."

✓ Grammatically correct

Britannica

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

University of Chicago

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

In this work it is emphasized that images have only a representative character.

Britannica

(a) Number of retweets A representative character of a hot tweet is that there are many retweets of it.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

The term procurator (Fr. procureur) is used in those countries whose codes are based on the Roman civil law for certain officials, having a representative character, in the courts of law.

University of Chicago

A key strength of the current study was that it was conducted in two countries, Germany and Switzerland, and that the samples should have a representative character for the hospitals selected, since all women giving birth during the determined timespan were invited to participate.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

When the presidency became vacant last year, Mr Sharif could have filled it with someone from a smaller province, a gesture that would have given a more representative character to the federation.

The Economist

For example, he may have given up his undefended claim that passions have no representative character, a premise of the Representation Argument on which, as we saw, some of his fundamental anti-rationalist arguments depend.

SEP

CH simplifies plots by featuring only a few representative characters.

Johns Hopkins University

The results obtained for the Thuringian Basin give general insights into the dynamics of a small sedimentary basin due to the representative character of the basin structure as well as the transferability of the settings to other small sedimentary basins.

Journal of Hydrology

While some researchers have argued that such short sampling periods capture one or more typical day(s) [ 9], there remains a dearth of formal evidence for the representative character of short sampling periods, and the effects of limited sampling periods on the quality of subsequent simulation outcomes have not been explored.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Mr. Doyle's impressive if problematic "Caucasian Chalk Circle" almost out-Brechts Brecht in its accentuation of the play as dramatic artifact, and the actor as a creative worker more than a representative of character.

The New York Times

If, therefore, an individual, acting under the assumed authority of a state, as one of its officers, and under color of its laws, comes into conflict with the superior authority of a valid law of the United States, he is stripped of his representative character, and subjected in his person to the consequences of his individual conduct.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a representative character", ensure that the character's traits and actions clearly align with the broader group or concept they are intended to represent, providing context for the reader to understand the connection.

Common error

Avoid presenting "a representative character" as universally applicable without acknowledging the nuances and variations within the group or concept they embody. Be mindful of potential stereotypes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a representative character" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. Ludwig AI illustrates this with examples where it identifies an entity that embodies the qualities of a larger group or concept. It is also used as an adjective, adding extra information.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a representative character" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase, though relatively rare in occurrence. Ludwig AI indicates its primary function is to identify a person or entity that embodies the qualities of a larger group, typically found in neutral and formal registers such as science, news, and academic sources. When using the phrase, it's important to ensure the character's traits align with the intended group to avoid overgeneralization. While other options are available, such as "a typical figure", the phrase's specific nuance makes it useful in analytical or descriptive contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a typical figure

Replaces "representative" with "typical" and "character" with "figure", focusing on standard representation.

an exemplary individual

Substitutes "representative" with "exemplary" to emphasize being a prime example and "character" with "individual".

a model specimen

Uses "model" and "specimen" to suggest something that is a standard for comparison.

a symbolic persona

Emphasizes the symbolic nature of the character, highlighting its role as a representation of something larger.

a quintessential type

Highlights that the character is the most perfect or typical example of a particular kind of person or thing.

an archetypal figure

This suggests that the character embodies universal and recurring patterns of human nature.

a characteristic example

Focuses on the traits that define the character as representative.

a personification

Replaces the phrase with a single word emphasizing the embodiment of an abstract quality.

an embodiment

Similar to personification, this emphasizes the concrete representation of an idea.

a paragon

Implies the character is a perfect example of a quality or concept.

FAQs

How can I use "a representative character" in a sentence?

You can use "a representative character" to describe someone or something that embodies the qualities of a larger group or concept, such as "The protagonist serves as "a representative character" of the working class".

What are some alternatives to "a representative character"?

Alternatives include "a typical figure", "an exemplary individual", or "an archetypal figure", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

How does "a representative character" differ from "a stereotypical character"?

"A representative character" aims to embody common traits of a group without negative bias, whereas a stereotypical character relies on oversimplified and often inaccurate generalizations. It's important to depict characters with nuance and avoid harmful stereotypes.

Is it better to have diverse characters or "a representative character" in a story?

Ideally, both. Diverse characters offer a broader, more realistic view, while "a representative character" can effectively highlight specific themes or social issues. Strive for a balance that enriches the narrative without resorting to stereotypes.