a viable character

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a viable character" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the feasibility or believability of a character in a story, game, or other narrative forms. Example: "The author created a viable character who faced realistic challenges and grew throughout the story."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But only the ever-inventive Ms. Hecht, whose intensely embittered Louise nurses her resentment like a beloved infant, comes close to creating a viable character.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

乾 is admittedly not an etymologically viable character, in that 乾 kuann 1, as in 牛肉乾 gu 5 bah 4 kuann 1 cattle meat dry 'beef jerky', is a semantic loan character for 焦 ta 1 'dry' in Southern Min.

Lingua Sinica

Clearly there aren't any viable characters that I can see as gay now, or would want to see as gay.

Huffington Post

Yet even in "Face/Off," which drew on those same uncanny skills, he had a more fully drawn, dramatically viable character to play than he has here.

The New York Times

"Normal Girl" shows signs of turning into a coherent novel, complete with viable characters and telling details, upon Miranda's retreat to Minnesota (a k a Minne-sober) for a lifestyle overhaul.

The New York Times - Books

…that you're approaching kind of a critical mass of how many viable characters you can include?

Independent

Until Ridley Scott's Alien in 1979, when Weaver's Ripley made central female characters a viable alternative, women had mostly appeared on screen in order to be rescued.

Independent

"It opens up the notion of 3-D as a viable option for even character-driven period-style films like 'Gatsby.' ".

Los Angeles Times

The course, "Media Genres: Media Marvels", examines "how Marvel's series of interconnected films and television shows, plus related media and comic book sources and Joseph Campbell's monomyth of the 'hero's journey', offer important insights into modern culture... [as well as] uncover the unprecedented efforts by Marvel to establish a viable universe of plotlines, characters, and backstories".

Wikipedia

For example, Twitter is limited to 140 characters, making it a viable tool for learning activities that require brevity.

International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education

Similarly, in Netflix's 2015 series Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Ki Hong Lee's unfortunately-named character Dong is seen as a viable love interest.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When creating a character, ensure they have clear motivations and goals to make them "a viable character" in the narrative.

Common error

Avoid relying on stereotypes when creating characters. Stereotypes can undermine a character's believability and make them less "a viable character" in the eyes of the audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a viable character" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "viable" modifies the noun "character". According to Ludwig, it is a correct and usable phrase for describing the feasibility and believability of a character in a narrative.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

21%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a viable character" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression for describing a believable, functional, and well-developed character in various narrative contexts. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in English. It appears most frequently in news and media sources, but also finds use in scientific and academic writing. To enhance your writing, ensure that characters have clear motivations and avoid relying on stereotypes. Consider using alternative phrases like "a believable character" or "a realistic character" to add nuance to your descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a believable character

Focuses on the character's credibility and realism.

a realistic character

Emphasizes the character's adherence to real-world traits and behaviors.

a credible character

Highlights the character's trustworthiness and plausibility.

a well-developed character

Stresses the depth and complexity of the character's personality and background.

a fully realized character

Suggests the character is complete and thoroughly fleshed out.

a convincing character

Implies the character is portrayed in a way that persuades the audience.

a workable character

Focuses on the character's ability to function effectively within the story or setting.

a sustainable character

Emphasizes the character's longevity and relevance throughout the narrative.

a practical character

Highlights the character's pragmatism and usefulness in achieving goals.

an effective character

Stresses the character's impact and influence on the story.

FAQs

How can I make a character more viable in a story?

To make a character more viable, focus on giving them realistic motivations, consistent behaviors, and relatable flaws. A "believable character" will always resonate more with the audience.

What does it mean for a character to be considered viable?

A viable character is one that is believable, functional within the story, and capable of driving the plot forward. They have depth, motivation, and contribute meaningfully to the narrative.

Which is correct, "a viable character" or "an viable character"?

"A viable character" is the correct phrasing. The word "viable" begins with a consonant sound, so the article "a" is appropriate.

What are some alternatives to calling a character "a viable character"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a realistic character", "a well-developed character", or "a credible character" to describe a character that works well within the story.