a symbolic representation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a symbolic representation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing something that stands for or represents something else, often in a metaphorical or abstract sense. Example: "In literature, a rose often serves as a symbolic representation of love and beauty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"The monarch is a symbolic representation of the life and values of Serbians," Metropolitan Christopher said.

The New York Times

The turbines would also have served as a symbolic representation of perpetual renewal, certainly a meaningful theme at ground zero.

The New York Times

It's a great visual idea, a twisted mirror held up to Welles's art, as well as a symbolic representation of his compromised life.

The New York Times

Courbet himself presides over all the figures with ingenuous conceit, working on a landscape and turning his back to a nude model, a symbolic representation of academic tradition.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A second theory proposes that theatre evolved from shamanistic rituals that manifested a supernatural presence to the audience, as opposed to giving a symbolic representation of it.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the photographs, Lebanese civilian women are shown in their homes, wearing military uniforms — a symbolic representation of the encroachment of political violence into personal space.

The New Yorker

He stresses that bonsai is not nature, nor simply a compressed copy of nature: "It is a symbolic representation of nature, and as such stands alone.

The Economist

Ms. de Kooning's painting "Cave No. 54, Sand Wall" (1985), a symbolic representation of the bison and deer painted on the walls of caves by prehistoric man, is arguably one of her best late paintings.

The New York Times

The entire Comedy is an allegory, a symbolic representation of the highly systematized theology that St. Thomas Aquinas and other Scholastic philosophers distilled from the Bible, the Church Fathers, and Aristotle in the late Middle Ages.

The New Yorker

Nocturnal habits included excursions to dark, enclosed spaces for ritualistic mass gyrations to auditory accompaniment while imbibing a liquid whose container depicted perhaps as a symbolic representation of animal sacrifice a red taurine being.

The New Yorker

When they say equality, they mean sameness, which is to say: conforming to some ideal of Middle America, Little England, or whatever a symbolic representation of real peoplehood comes down to for them.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a symbolic representation" when you want to emphasize that something is not a literal depiction but stands for something else, especially an abstract concept or idea. For instance, "The dove is a symbolic representation of peace."

Common error

Avoid using "a symbolic representation" when referring to something that is a direct, literal depiction. A photograph of a cat is a literal representation of a cat, not a symbolic one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a symbolic representation" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or an object in a sentence. It identifies something as standing for or representing something else, often in a non-literal way, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a symbolic representation" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe something that stands for or represents something else in a non-literal way. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and wide applicability across various domains. It's frequently encountered in News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias, suggesting its suitability for analytical and interpretative contexts. When using the phrase, ensure that you're referring to something that genuinely carries a representative meaning beyond its literal form, rather than a direct depiction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a figurative representation

Emphasizes the use of figures of speech or symbolism.

an emblematic depiction

Highlights the use of an emblem as a symbol.

a metaphorical portrayal

Focuses on the use of metaphors to represent something.

a representative symbol

Highlights that the symbol stands for a larger group or concept.

a visual metaphor

Specifically refers to a metaphor conveyed through an image.

an allegorical image

Indicates that the image is part of an allegory.

a suggestive figure

Emphasizes the idea that the figure implies more than it directly shows.

a signifier

A more technical term from semiotics, referring to something that signifies something else.

a token

Implies a smaller, physical object representing something larger.

a stand-in

Highlights the substitution aspect of the representation.

FAQs

How can I use "a symbolic representation" in a sentence?

You can use "a symbolic representation" to describe how something stands for or represents something else, often in a metaphorical or abstract way. For example, "The statue is "a symbolic representation" of justice".

What are some alternatives to "a symbolic representation"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "figurative representation", "emblematic depiction", or "metaphorical portrayal".

Is it correct to say 'a symbolic representation of' something?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase is commonly followed by "of" and the concept or idea that is being represented. For example, "The color white is "a symbolic representation" of purity".

What is the difference between a 'literal representation' and "a symbolic representation"?

A literal representation is a direct and accurate depiction of something, whereas "a symbolic representation" uses symbols or metaphors to stand for something else, often an abstract idea or concept.