a true harbinger

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a true harbinger" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is a genuine indicator or precursor of a future event or situation. Example: "The sudden drop in temperatures in early spring is often a true harbinger of the harsh summer heat to come."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The waitress recommended the local specialty, a true harbinger of spring, shad roe.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The first baseball thrown in anger is the true harbinger of spring and calendar alarm for the lazy discard of the heavy encumbrances of winter.

Huffington Post

These magical little plants are at once winter's last blessing and true harbingers of the new season.

The New York Times - Travel

Because of this quality, and because of the striking effectiveness of their imagery, these poems can be said to be the true harbingers of Coleridge's greatest poems".

Wikipedia

"If what some say is true, that global climate change brings extremes of weather, this could be a harbinger of more difficult times to come," he said.

The New York Times

Is this a hiccup or a harbinger?

The New York Times

It felt like a harbinger – a warning shot.

The Guardian - Tech

Is he a life force or a harbinger of death?

The Guardian - Film

Was this a harbinger of a Republican victory in November?

The New Yorker

These phone calls were a harbinger of a huge problem.

The New York Times

On a snowy day it seems a harbinger of spring.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a true harbinger", ensure the context clearly establishes what event or outcome is being foreshadowed. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a true harbinger" to describe minor or insignificant events. This phrase carries a sense of importance and should be reserved for situations where the foreshadowed outcome has substantial consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a true harbinger" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a predicate nominative or an appositive that renames or describes another noun. It identifies something as a genuine indicator or precursor of a future event. Ludwig AI confirms this with examples where "a true harbinger" describes phenomena like shad roe as a sign of spring.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a true harbinger" is a phrase used to describe something that serves as a genuine sign or precursor of a future event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and best suited for contexts where you want to emphasize the reliability and importance of the sign, typically in news and media. While relatively rare in overall usage, the phrase carries a neutral to formal tone. When using it, ensure that the connection between the sign and the foreshadowed event is clear and significant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a genuine foretoken

Substitutes "harbinger" with a more formal word and adjective combination emphasizing authenticity.

an authentic precursor

Replaces "harbinger" with "precursor", highlighting the idea of something coming before and being followed by something else. Also emphasizes authenticity with "authentic".

a reliable predictor

Focuses on the predictive quality of the sign, emphasizing its accuracy.

a clear indication

This phrase emphasizes the clarity and directness of the sign.

a telling sign

Highlights the revealing nature of the sign, suggesting it communicates important information.

a significant omen

Introduces a sense of importance or foreboding associated with the sign.

a key indicator

Focuses on the sign's role as a crucial piece of information.

a sure foreshadowing

Highlights the aspect of foreshadowing, suggesting a glimpse into what's to come, and replaces "true" with "sure" to emphasize certainty.

a harbinger without a doubt

Emphasizes the certainty of something being a harbinger.

a definitive signal

Focuses on the conclusive aspect of the sign.

FAQs

How can I use "a true harbinger" in a sentence?

Use "a true harbinger" to describe something that genuinely signals or foreshadows a future event. For instance, "The early bloom of cherry blossoms is "a true harbinger" of spring".

What are some alternatives to "a true harbinger"?

Alternatives include "a genuine foretoken", "an authentic precursor", or "a reliable predictor". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to use "true" with "harbinger"?

While "harbinger" already implies a signaling function, using "true" emphasizes the genuineness and reliability of the sign. It reinforces that the sign is indeed a valid predictor of what's to come.

What distinguishes "a true harbinger" from a mere suggestion?

"A true harbinger" implies a strong and reliable connection to a future event, based on concrete evidence or patterns. A suggestion, on the other hand, is more speculative and lacks the same level of certainty.