an appearance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an appearance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of appearing or the way someone or something looks. Example: "She made an appearance at the charity event, drawing attention with her elegant dress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Would Minaj make an appearance?

The New Yorker

Penguins also make an appearance.

The New York Times - Books

She makes an appearance.

The New Yorker

I'd make an appearance.

The New York Times - Style

Pants, another vanishing item, made an appearance.

The New York Times

(Her son, a congressman, makes an appearance).

The New York Times

Even KARL MARX makes an appearance.

The New York Times

She abruptly canceled an appearance last Friday.

The New York Times

The biggest names do make an appearance.

The New York Times - Books

(A decapitated torso also made an appearance).

The Economist

Ryan Gosling also makes an appearance.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an appearance" to denote a formal or noteworthy presence, especially when someone is making a special effort to be seen or noticed. For instance, "The celebrity made an appearance at the gala."

Common error

Avoid using "an appearance" when a simpler term like "look" or "showing" would suffice. For example, instead of saying "The product had an appearance of being well-made", consider "The product looked well-made".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an appearance" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb or preposition. This phrase signifies the act of becoming visible or present. Ludwig examples show its use in describing events where someone or something is seen.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

17%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "an appearance" is a common and versatile noun phrase used to describe the act of becoming visible or present. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While often neutral in register, it can also be employed in more formal settings. When choosing alternatives, consider factors such as formality and specific emphasis, as options like "a presence" or "an entrance" may be more appropriate depending on the situation. Be mindful of using it in vague contexts where simpler terms would suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a presence

Focuses on the state of being in a particular place.

an entrance

Stresses the act of entering a place or situation.

an arrival

Highlights the act of reaching a destination.

a showing

Focuses on the act of presenting or displaying something.

a showing up

Informal way to describe someone arriving or attending.

a visit

Emphasizes the act of coming to see someone or something.

a debut

Highlights the first public presentation or performance.

a manifestation

Suggests a tangible or visible form of something abstract.

a presentation

Emphasizes the act of formally introducing or showing something.

a sighting

Implies a brief or unexpected view of someone or something.

FAQs

How to use "an appearance" in a sentence?

You can use "an appearance" to describe someone or something becoming visible or present. For example, "The guest star made "an appearance" in the final scene."

What can I say instead of "an appearance"?

You can use alternatives like "a presence", "an entrance", or "a showing" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "an appearance" or "the appearance"?

"An appearance" is used when referring to a single instance of appearing, while "the appearance" refers to the general way someone or something looks. For example, "She made "an appearance" at the event", versus "The overall appearance of the building was modern."

What's the difference between "an appearance" and "a showing up"?

"An appearance" is generally more formal and suggests a deliberate act of being present, while "a showing up" is more casual and simply means arriving or attending something.