an element of

USAGE SUMMARY

"an element of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to one of the individual parts that make up a larger whole. For example, "Education is just one element of a successful career."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It would add an element of strategy.

The New York Times - Sports

Again there was an element of revenge.

The New Yorker

"There's an element of Vanity Fair.

Independent

He also added an element of glamour.

The Economist

There is also an element of transparency.

The New York Times - Food

"It has an element of racism.

The New York Times

Each has an element of recklessness.

The Economist

Eating alone has "an element of scorn".

The Economist

There's an element of wishful thinking.

The New York Times

The service retains an element of mystery.

The New York Times - Arts

There's an element of personal growth.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an element of" to introduce a specific aspect, quality, or characteristic within a broader context. It adds a nuanced way to specify a particular facet without generalizing the whole.

Common error

Avoid using "an element of" when a more direct word like "part", "aspect", or "feature" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose. For example, instead of saying "There's an element of surprise in the plot", consider "The plot contains surprise".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an element of" functions as a noun phrase functioning as a determiner, indicating a component or aspect of something. Ludwig provides examples showing its use in various contexts, confirming its correct grammatical function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "an element of" is a versatile expression used to denote a component, aspect, or characteristic within a broader context. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usability. It is most frequently encountered in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. While alternatives like "a component of" or "a part of" exist, "an element of" provides a nuanced way to specify a particular facet. Remember to avoid overusing it in simple descriptions where more direct language would suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a component of

Replaces "element" with "component", emphasizing that it's a part of a larger whole.

a part of

A more general term, indicating that something is included within a larger entity.

an aspect of

Focuses on a specific feature or facet of something.

a degree of

Indicates a certain level or extent of a particular quality or characteristic.

a feature of

Highlights a notable characteristic or attribute.

a touch of

Suggests a slight amount or trace of something.

a hint of

Similar to "a touch of", implying a subtle indication.

a facet of

Similar to "an aspect of", emphasizing one side or view of something.

a fragment of

Implies a small or incomplete part.

a portion of

Indicates a specific quantity or share of something.

FAQs

How can I use "an element of" in a sentence?

Use "an element of" to indicate that something contains a particular aspect or quality. For example, "There's "an element of truth" in his statement" or "The design incorporates "an element of surprise"".

What are some alternatives to "an element of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "a component of", "a part of", "an aspect of", or "a degree of". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct: "an element of" or "a element of"?

"An element of" is correct. The indefinite article "an" is used before words that begin with a vowel sound.

What's the difference between "an element of" and "a feature of"?

"An element of" suggests a component or ingredient, while "a feature of" emphasizes a distinct characteristic. For instance, "Creativity is "an element of" innovation", but "User-friendliness is "a feature of" this software".