an African one

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an African one" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that is characteristic of or related to Africa, often in a comparative context. Example: "When discussing cultural influences, she mentioned that the festival was an African one, highlighting its unique traditions and practices."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Music

Opinion

Sport

Books

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

And what's extraordinary about them is that they both ran on different motors: Gershwin on a European motor, Ellington an African one".

The New York Times - Arts

Although the force was originally envisioned as an African one with some United Nations backing, the planning is now focused on creating a new United Nations peacekeeping organization, but it would still rely heavily on regional troop contributions.

The New York Times

Specifically, an African one.

The Guardian - Sport

This invasion was not just a Malian affair, or even an African one: it was a global challenge.

The Guardian - Opinion

Although John Wizards' self-titled debut has a lo-fi, dreamlike quality familiar to fans of chillwave or indie R&B, the overriding flavour is an African one.

The Guardian - Music

As a result, African musicians frequently make two versions of their albums, one to cater to an American audience and another to an African one.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

It is a European problem and a North African one and a Middle Eastern one.

The Guardian

There were no TVs and no balloons, but one guy had on a soccer jersey — a South African one.

The New Yorker

Mr. Kruger said his clients were willing to be tried, but wanted to be tried by an international court, not a South African one.

The New York Times

EIGHT months ago Walmart, an American retailer, aired plans to buy 51% of Massmart, a South African one.

The Economist

In the present study, as in a South African one [ 18], it was noted that women involved in business and farming activities are a higher risk of acquiring rubella infection compared to formally employed women.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing elements from different continents, use "an African one" to clearly specify that you're referring to something originating from Africa.

Common error

Be specific when using "an African one". Avoid using it as a blanket term for the entire continent, as Africa is diverse and generalizations can be misleading.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an African one" functions as an adjective phrase specifying that something belongs to or originates from Africa. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and understandable. It's used for comparisons or to indicate origin, such as "Ellington an African one" referring to his musical roots.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Arts

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Music

5%

Opinion

5%

Sport

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an African one" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote that something is of African origin or possesses African characteristics. As per Ludwig, it is correct and usable in written English. While categorized as uncommon in frequency, it appears across diverse contexts such as news, arts, and sciences. It's important to use this phrase with specificity, avoiding broad generalizations about the continent. Related phrases can provide more nuanced ways to express African origin or characteristics.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an African variant

Focuses on the idea of a different version originating from Africa.

an African example

Emphasizes that the instance is a specific case from Africa.

a sub-Saharan version

Specifies a region within Africa, adding geographical precision.

a pan-African approach

Highlights a perspective that includes all of Africa.

a West African type

Narrows down the origin to a specific part of Africa.

an indigenous African form

Stresses the native and original nature of something from Africa.

a traditional African style

Highlights cultural or historical aspects of the African origin.

an African-derived method

Focuses on the African origins of a technique or process.

a locally sourced African alternative

Emphasizes both the African source and its substitutive nature.

a continental African approach

Emphasizes the approach is one across the whole continent of Africa.

FAQs

How can I use "an African one" in a sentence?

You can use "an African one" to refer to something specific originating from Africa, as in, "While both cuisines are flavorful, the spices used in the Moroccan dish make it "an African one"."

What's the difference between "an African one" and "a European one"?

The phrases "an African one" and "a European one" distinguish between items, concepts, or examples originating from Africa versus Europe, emphasizing geographical and cultural differences.

Is it correct to use "an African one" to describe a person?

While grammatically correct, it's more common and respectful to describe a person as "African" or "of African descent" rather than using ""an African one"" which is typically reserved for objects or concepts.

What can I say instead of "an African one" to be more specific?

To be more specific, consider using phrases like "a West African example", "a Southern African style", or naming the specific country or region you're referring to.