an experience in itself

USAGE SUMMARY

"an experience in itself" is a grammatically correct phrase and is often used in both spoken and written English.
It is usually used to refer to an event or activity that is noteworthy or memorable, particularly for the emotions felt. For example, "Visiting the Acropolis was an experience in itself, full of awe and wonder".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

"All-Star is an experience in itself," Paul said Friday.

The New York Times

Signing a contact with Caruso was an experience in itself.

The Guardian - Sport

I passed, and they told me, "Go get your license," which is an experience in itself.

The New York Times

Entering the jail is an experience in itself, at once exciting and terrifying.

The New York Times

Travelling there by "taxi brousse" - bush taxi - is an experience in itself.

The Guardian - Travel

Some beaches are only accessible by hiking through part of the Atlantic Forest, an experience in itself.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

By including the backstage element with what is seen in the auditorium the result, hopefully, is not just a documentary about the making of an opera, but an artistic experience in itself".

The Guardian - Music

It's an experience in and of itself.

The New York Times - Travel

Representational technology becomes an experience in and of itself, which at least partly eclipses what it purports to reveal.

The New York Times - Arts

"It has to be an experience in and of itself that is powerful enough that people will forget that they are being marketed to".

The New York Times

Navigating Beyoncé's website is an experience in and of itself.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an experience in itself" to emphasize that an event or activity possesses inherent value and is noteworthy even without external factors or additional context. For instance, "The journey through the winding mountain roads was an experience in itself."

Common error

Avoid using "an experience in itself" when describing mundane or routine activities. Reserve it for situations that genuinely offer something unique or memorable. For example, it's better to say "I went to the store" rather than "Going to the store was an experience in itself" unless something truly remarkable happened.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an experience in itself" functions as a nominal phrase, often serving as a predicate nominative or a complement to a verb. It emphasizes the inherent qualities of a situation or activity. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase refers to something noteworthy.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Travel

18%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Forbes

5%

Huffington Post

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an experience in itself" is a phrase used to underscore the unique and noteworthy nature of an event or activity. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. The phrase functions as a nominal element, typically serving to highlight the inherent qualities that make something remarkable. While its usage is found across various domains, it appears most frequently in News & Media and Travel contexts. When using the phrase, remember to reserve it for genuinely unique or memorable situations, avoiding overuse in mundane scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a unique encounter

Focuses on the distinctiveness of the event.

a memorable event

Emphasizes the lasting impact of the occasion.

a noteworthy happening

Highlights the significance or importance of the event.

an exceptional occasion

Stresses the unusual or outstanding quality of the situation.

a singular occurrence

Underscores the uniqueness and non-repeatability of the event.

something in its own class

Highlights that something is outstanding and stands apart from others.

a remarkable affair

Highlights that something is out of the ordinary.

an adventure on its own

Specifically highlights that something by itself can be regarded as a thrilling experience.

an exploration on its own

Specifically suggests an act of discovery and understanding.

an immersive event

Focuses on the engaging and captivating aspect.

FAQs

How can I use "an experience in itself" in a sentence?

Use "an experience in itself" to describe something inherently memorable or noteworthy. For instance, "The silence of the desert at night was "an experience in itself"."

What phrases are similar to "an experience in itself"?

Alternatives include "a unique encounter", "a memorable event", or "a noteworthy happening" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "an experience in itself"?

It's appropriate when the event or activity has inherent value and is noteworthy on its own, without needing external factors to make it significant.

What's the difference between "an experience in itself" and "an experience"?

"An experience" is a general term. "An experience in itself" emphasizes that the experience is particularly remarkable or complete on its own, setting it apart from ordinary experiences.