a symposium of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a symposium of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a formal meeting or conference where experts gather to discuss a particular topic or theme. Example: "The university is hosting a symposium of leading researchers to discuss advancements in renewable energy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

Attending a symposium of the Soc. of Automobive Engineers.

The New Yorker

A symposium of endangered stars evicts itself to the water.

The New Yorker

A symposium of procrastinators is what they do not want..

The Guardian - Books

Talk story about attending a Symposium of the Civilian Saucer Intelligence of New York, at the Hotel Diplomat.

The New Yorker

A symposium of interesting new methods employed to combat the curse of sleeplessness, as reported in the daily press.

The New Yorker

One of the more interesting events will be a "symposium of contemporary sculptors, each of whom will contribute a monumental work.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

MONDAY, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. www.girlgeeks.com or www.techiesday.org Webcast of a symposium on the future of jobs in technology.

The New York Times - Tech

This overview was developed as part of a symposium on noncancer end points of gasoline and key gasoline components.

Environmental Health Perspectives

The questions serve a rhetorical function, creating a symposium out of what might otherwise feel like a lecture.

The New Yorker

Inside, where the mind makes comparisons and analogies, the dissociation inheres in malfunctioning metaphors: what is a "symposium / of endangered stars" and how would it evict itself?

The New Yorker

When Ted Hughes founded the Poetry International festival in 1967, he had lofty visions of a global symposium of verse, "much more than a great cultural event", that might bring about geo-political, global unity.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a symposium of" when referring to a formal gathering of experts or specialists discussing a specific topic. Ensure the context aligns with the formal and intellectual nature of a symposium.

Common error

Avoid using "a symposium of" to describe informal gatherings or casual discussions. The term implies a level of formality and expertise not present in everyday social contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a symposium of" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as a subject or object in a sentence. It indicates a gathering or collection of individuals or elements, typically related to a specific theme or purpose. As Ludwig's examples show, this phrase is frequently used in formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

42%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a symposium of" is a phrase used to describe a formal gathering of experts or ideas, typically for discussion and knowledge sharing. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently appears in news, scientific, and formal contexts. While versatile, it is best suited for scenarios involving expertise and structured discourse, avoiding informal or casual situations. Alternative phrases like "a conference of" or "a gathering of" can be used depending on the context. The usage patterns and authoritative sources confirm its prevalence in reputable publications, making it a valuable phrase for formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a conference of

Replaces 'symposium' with 'conference', suggesting a more general meeting.

a gathering of

Replaces 'symposium' with 'gathering', implying a less formal meeting.

an assembly of

Replaces 'symposium' with 'assembly', suggesting a more organized meeting.

a collection of

Replaces 'symposium of' with 'collection of', focusing on the group rather than the event.

a convocation of

Replaces 'symposium' with 'convocation', implying a formal assembly, often in an academic context.

a panel of

Replaces 'symposium' with 'panel', suggesting a smaller, more focused discussion.

a forum of

Replaces 'symposium' with 'forum', indicating a public discussion or debate.

a meeting of

Replaces 'symposium' with 'meeting', a very general term for people coming together.

a group of

Replaces 'symposium' with 'group', focusing on the collective rather than the event.

a session of

Replaces 'symposium' with 'session', indicating a part of a larger event.

FAQs

How is "a symposium of" used in a sentence?

The phrase "a symposium of" is used to describe a formal gathering of experts to discuss a particular subject. For example, "The university hosted "a symposium of" leading scientists to discuss climate change".

What are some alternatives to "a symposium of"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "a conference of", "a gathering of", or "a forum of".

Is it correct to say "a symposium on" instead of "a symposium of"?

While "a symposium of" refers to the group of people or ideas gathered, "a symposium on" refers to the topic being discussed. Both are correct but have different meanings; for example, "a symposium of experts" versus "a symposium on climate change".

What distinguishes "a symposium of" from other types of meetings?

A "symposium of" typically implies a more formal, academic, or expert-driven discussion compared to more general terms like "a meeting of" or "a gathering of". It suggests a higher level of expertise and structured discourse.