act of expression

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "act of expression" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a specific instance or action where someone conveys thoughts, feelings, or ideas through various forms of communication, such as art, speech, or writing. Example: "The artist's latest painting is a powerful act of expression that captures the turmoil of the human experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

The great paradox of creativity, Haidle seems to suggest, is that the artist, in the act of expression, sees deeper into the nature of existence and, at the same time, moves farther away from it.

The New Yorker

It is an atmosphere perpetuated by the institutions themselves and designed to increase the magnitude of the art object - this extraordinary, almost otherworldly act of expression that we are here witness.

The Guardian - Arts

For these women, caught between a home country with no economic plan but to export labour and a city that excluded them from universally held rights, every act of expression is resistance.

The Guardian

Even though hate speech is characterized by First Amendment absolutists as a private act of expression that should be protected from government controls and sanctions, Waldron insists that "hate speech and defamation are actions performed in public, with a public orientation, aimed at undermining public goods".

The New York Times

It was, however, a small price to pay for the act of expression.

BBC

An intrinsic connection exists between medium and the act of expression.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Consumers may be the ones technically freeloading by uploading and consuming others' works without paying to do so but creative industries point out it's the tech giants that are gaining the most money from this exploitation of the current rights rules — because they're the only ones making really fat profits off of other people's acts of expression.

TechCrunch

The Prose of the World established that there was a single source behind all acts of expression, which made them commensurable to language, only to acknowledge the specificity of language in a manner similar to Sartre's.

SEP

"These filters are bound to block legitimate acts of expression... because they can't tell apart valid uses like quotation from infringement". And getting a licence for every type of content that exists from every publisher would be "plainly impossible", she said.

BBC

As a result, considering that art is a 'higher degree' of communication, the work of art is not just a striking example of genuine expression, but also exemplifies the fact that every act of meaning is open to the past and the future of other human acts of expression.

SEP

As Oscar Wilde put it, "all bad poetry springs from genuine feeling," meaning that the act of high expression actually means disguising those feelings we hope to express.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "act of expression", consider the specific context to ensure the phrase accurately reflects the intention and medium of expression.

Common error

Avoid using "act of expression" when a more specific term, such as "speech", "performance", or "artwork", would provide greater clarity and precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "act of expression" functions primarily as a noun phrase. According to Ludwig, this term describes a specific instance or action where someone conveys thoughts, feelings, or ideas. It is used to label and categorize communicative actions, as exemplified in the provided contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "act of expression" is a grammatically correct and usable term that describes instances of conveying thoughts, feelings, or ideas. According to Ludwig, it is most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts, suggesting its use across various domains. While it's generally neutral in register, careful consideration of the specific context ensures its appropriate and precise application. As Ludwig AI explains, alternatives such as "expression of intent" or "communicative act" may sometimes offer greater specificity, depending on the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

communicative act

Highlights the communication aspect of the action.

expression of intent

Focuses on the purpose or goal behind the expression.

manifestation of feeling

Highlights the emotional aspect being expressed.

form of articulation

Emphasizes the manner in which something is expressed.

gesture of communication

Highlights how communications are delivered as gestures.

demonstration of thought

Emphasizes the cognitive element.

artistic endeavor

Specifically relates to creative or artistic forms of expression.

creative display

Highlights the creativity involved in the act.

instance of portrayal

Focuses on representation and depiction.

verbal declaration

Specifically refers to spoken expression.

FAQs

How can I use "act of expression" in a sentence?

You can use "act of expression" to describe various forms of communication. For instance, "The artist's painting was a profound "act of expression"."

What are some alternatives to "act of expression"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "expression of intent", "communicative act", or "artistic endeavor".

Is "act of expression" formal or informal?

"Act of expression" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though the surrounding language should match the intended register.

What makes something an "act of expression"?

An "act of expression" involves conveying thoughts, feelings, or ideas through a medium, whether it be verbal, artistic, or behavioral. It signifies a deliberate attempt to communicate something meaningful.