a touchstone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a touchstone" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a standard or criterion by which something is judged or recognized. Example: "Her performance in the last project became a touchstone for evaluating future candidates."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The work is a touchstone.

The New York Times - Arts

Tim is a touchstone.

The New York Times

A touchstone of your intelligence," she said.

The New York Times

It has been a touchstone ever since.

The New York Times

His color is a touchstone".

The New York Times

A touchstone of modernity itself".

The Guardian - Books

Hillary Rodham Clinton hailed the book as a touchstone.

The New York Times

Nowadays, it is still a touchstone.

The Washington Post

His life continues to be a touchstone.

The New York Times

It was a touchstone for people".

The New York Times

British comedy is a touchstone for Garlin.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a touchstone" when you want to convey that something serves as an influential or defining example for others.

Common error

Avoid using "a touchstone" when a more literal or straightforward term like "reference point" or "standard" would be clearer. The term carries a sense of historical significance or emotional resonance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a touchstone" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a predicate nominative or object of a preposition. Ludwig AI shows it often identifies something serving as a standard, ideal, or defining example.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Academia

16%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a touchstone" functions as a noun phrase that denotes something serving as a standard, reference point, or ideal. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, especially in news and media contexts. It is best used to describe something that carries significance and influence, as a model or defining example. While alternatives like "benchmark" and "standard" exist, "a touchstone" carries a unique connotation of historical or emotional resonance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a benchmark

Replaces "touchstone" with a more quantitative standard.

a standard

Offers a more general term for a point of reference.

a point of reference

More descriptive, less metaphorical.

a yardstick

Similar to "benchmark" but implies a more subjective measure.

a criterion

Emphasizes the evaluative aspect.

a hallmark

Implies a distinguishing characteristic or feature.

a keystone

Highlights the foundational importance.

a guiding principle

Emphasizes the directive nature of the reference point.

a gold standard

Implies the highest possible standard.

an essential element

Indicates a necessary component or aspect.

FAQs

How can I use "a touchstone" in a sentence?

You can use "a touchstone" to describe something that serves as a standard or ideal, such as "This film became "a touchstone" for future directors".

What's a good alternative to "a touchstone"?

Alternatives include "a benchmark", "a standard", or "a point of reference", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say 'the touchstone' instead of "a touchstone"?

While both can be grammatically correct, "a touchstone" is more common when referring to one of many possible standards. "The touchstone" implies a single, definitive standard.

What makes "a touchstone" different from a regular 'example'?

"A touchstone" implies more than just an example; it suggests something has become an important or influential model, whereas a simple 'example' may not carry that weight.