an intricate tapestry of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an intricate tapestry of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a complex and detailed combination of elements, often in a metaphorical sense, such as in art, culture, or ideas. Example: "The novel presents an intricate tapestry of emotions, weaving together joy, sorrow, and hope in a compelling narrative."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

History is an intricate tapestry of cause and effect.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

In many Twelfth Nights, the Malvolio scenes are the highlights, with the rest longueurs by comparison, but here they are just part of an intricate tapestry of human behaviour.

The Guardian

Woven across overlapping contexts of whiteness, activism and cultural and religious pressures, the show spun colorful and resilient threads of truth into an intricate tapestry of lived realities that are often silenced or ignored.

The Guardian

In his previous writing, especially "Constantine's Sword," a magisterial, morally furious survey of Christian anti-Semitism from the time of Christ through Nazism and the Second Vatican Council, Carroll has shown great skill at interweaving complex narrative threads into an intricate tapestry of ideas and events.

The New York Times - Books

Olive's story in this book is one thread in an intricate tapestry of stories, but perhaps the most interesting.

Huffington Post

And I have purposefully woven an intricate tapestry of atheist, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Jain, Pagan, Jewish, Catholic and Protestant friends and colleagues in interfaith dialogue and activism, as well as people (like me) with complex religious identities.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The book is like an intricate tapestry, full of dazzling detail, as the story of Mrs Rupa Mehra's attempts to find a decent and cultured son-in-law is played out against the huge canvas of post-partition India on the eve of her first general election.

The Guardian - Books

This idea that the west has been stringing together a very intricate tapestry of stereotypes regarding China.

Vice

He called the UK an "intricate tapestry", a 300-year-old collaboration of inter-nation relationships and shared values that had been built "brick by brick".

Independent

In "Our Other," performed Friday at Danspace Project at St. Mark's Church, Ms. Maar weaves an intricate tapestry pairing ideas related to nature and religion, humans and animals, sexuality and restraint.

The New York Times - Arts

All sorts of "crazy wanting," both prosaic and earth-shattering, are shot through the intricate tapestry of Barbara Kingsolver's majestic and brave new novel, "Flight Behavior".

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an intricate tapestry of" when you want to convey a sense of complexity, detail, and interconnectedness in a descriptive or metaphorical way. It's effective for describing cultures, stories, or systems.

Common error

Avoid using "an intricate tapestry of" too frequently in your writing. While evocative, overuse can make your prose sound cliché. Vary your descriptive language by using alternatives like "a complex mosaic of" or "a web of interconnected elements".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an intricate tapestry of" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or object within a sentence. It paints a picture of something complex and interwoven, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples, where it describes diverse elements such as stories, ideas, and cultures.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Books

25%

Arts

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an intricate tapestry of" is a valid and evocative phrase used to describe something complex and detailed. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is grammatically correct and functions primarily as a noun phrase. While not exceptionally common, the phrase appears mostly in news and media, as well as in discussions of books and the arts. For alternatives, consider "a complex mosaic of" or "a web of interconnected elements" to avoid overuse. Using "an intricate tapestry of" effectively requires careful consideration of context and audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a complex mosaic of

Uses "mosaic" instead of "tapestry", emphasizing the diverse and fragmented nature of the elements.

a web of interconnected elements

Replaces the metaphor with a more literal description of interconnectedness.

a rich and detailed network of

Focuses on the richness and detail of the connections.

a carefully woven combination of

Highlights the intentional and deliberate nature of the combination.

a multifaceted array of

Emphasizes the many different aspects or faces of the subject.

a sophisticated blend of

Highlights the skillful mixing of elements.

a dense configuration of

Implies a tightly packed and complex arrangement.

an elaborate framework of

Replaces tapestry with framework to express the complexity.

a delicate interweaving of

Emphasizes the fragile and subtle nature of the connections.

a variegated composition of

Highlights the diverse and varied nature of the components.

FAQs

How can I use "an intricate tapestry of" in a sentence?

Use "an intricate tapestry of" to describe something composed of many interconnected and detailed elements. For example, "The novel presents an intricate tapestry of relationships and betrayals."

What does "an intricate tapestry of" mean?

It means something is made up of many complexly interwoven parts, like a detailed tapestry. It suggests depth, detail, and interconnectedness.

What can I say instead of "an intricate tapestry of"?

You can use alternatives like "a complex mosaic of", "a web of interconnected elements", or "a rich and detailed network of".

Is it appropriate to use "an intricate tapestry of" in formal writing?

Yes, it's appropriate. While metaphorical, the phrase is widely understood and accepted in formal writing, particularly when describing complex systems or ideas.