a significant character

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a significant character" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing literature, film, or any narrative context to refer to a character that plays an important role in the story. Example: "In the novel, the protagonist is a significant character who drives the plot forward and influences the actions of others."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

The latter, portrayed by Eric Bogosian, becomes a significant character in "Shot in the Heart".

The New York Times - Arts

Livesey divides her novel into four sections, each focused on a significant character.

The New York Times - Books

A lawyer is still a significant character, but this time, he's pitched into the horrors of the Second World War.

The Guardian - Books

Henry was the one to negotiate the deals with Austen's publishers and so was a significant character in her life – and a bit of a Wickham.

The Guardian - Books

He badgers a blind call-center employee — whom we suspect will be a significant character, since he's played by Woody Harrelson — with complaints and insults.

The New York Times

(On "N.Y.P.D. Blue," Sipowicz's endless string of personal tragedies is beginning to seem like a joke.) It can even briskly kill off a significant character.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

She felt that Emily's changing relationship with Katie as a significant part of her character development made her "sympathetic and relatable to those who might have otherwise have difficulty relating to a lesbian character".

Wikipedia

The subculture being examined here is a fascinating one, but long stretches of tedium, we come to understand, are also a significant part of the characters' journey.

Los Angeles Times

Something Kaplan calls "national character" plays a significant role in his analysis.

The New York Times - Books

Certainly it must be said that appeals to emotion and character play a significant role in ordinary arguments that occur in social, moral and political contexts.

SEP

The improvement in ductility is observed to be greater at the lowest investigated strain rate, where the grain boundary character plays a significant role on the mechanical properties; no ductility improvement was observed at the highest investigated strain rate.

Acta Materialia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing characters, use "a significant character" to denote importance to the plot or narrative. Provide specific details that illustrate why the character is significant, such as their actions, relationships, or impact on other characters.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that a character is "a significant character" without explaining why. This can make your writing seem vague and unconvincing. Always provide evidence to support your claim.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a significant character" functions as a noun phrase, where 'significant' modifies 'character'. It is used to identify and emphasize the importance of a particular character within a narrative or context. As Ludwig AI illustrates, this phrase frequently appears in discussions of literature, film, and other narrative forms.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

23%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a significant character" is a commonly used phrase to denote a character of importance within a narrative. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use across diverse sources, especially in news, media, and wiki contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure you provide specific details to illustrate the character's significance, avoiding vague or unsubstantiated claims. Alternatives such as "an important figure" or "a key player" can be used depending on the specific context. Remember, simply stating a character's significance isn't enough; provide evidence to support your assertion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an important figure

Replaces 'character' with 'figure', implying importance in a narrative or real-life context.

a key player

Substitutes 'character' with 'player', suggesting an active and influential role.

a central figure

Replaces 'significant' with 'central', emphasizing the character's pivotal role.

a major character

Uses 'major' instead of 'significant', highlighting the character's prominence.

a prominent character

Employs 'prominent', indicating the character's visibility and importance.

a notable character

Swaps 'significant' with 'notable', focusing on the character's worthiness of attention.

a crucial character

Replaces 'significant' with 'crucial', stressing the character's essential nature.

an influential character

Uses 'influential' to emphasize the character's power to affect events or people.

a leading character

Employs 'leading' to highlight the character's role as a main protagonist.

a critical character

Substitutes 'significant' with 'critical', indicating the character's essential impact.

FAQs

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

Use "a significant character" to describe someone who plays an important role in a story or situation. For example, "The detective was "a significant character" in solving the mystery".

What are some alternatives to "a significant character"?

You can use alternatives such as "an important figure", "a key player", or "a central figure" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "important character" or "significant character"?

Both "important character" and "significant character" are grammatically correct and often interchangeable. "Significant character" may imply a deeper impact or meaning, while "important character" suggests relevance or necessity.

What makes a character "a significant character" in a story?

A character becomes "a significant character" through their actions, relationships, or the impact they have on the plot and other characters. They often drive the narrative forward or embody key themes.