an ongoing epic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an ongoing epic" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a story, event, or situation that is currently unfolding and has grand or significant elements. Example: "The series of events surrounding the environmental crisis has become an ongoing epic that captivates the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In the show's version of history, World War II was just a brief interruption in an ongoing epic of luxury and privilege.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

In 1999, the Guardian termed Gibson "probably the most important novelist of the past two decades", a fair tribute to an author who helped promote sci-fi in the mainstream and turned our digital age into a ongoing epic tale.

Vice

And while this was decades before trade paperbacks collecting longer storylines became common, Kirby treated the Fourth World as a single, ongoing epic, making it even more crushing when DC canceled the titles mid-story.

TechCrunch

In the increasing number of phylogenetic groups where sufficient EST sequence data are available to enrich nucleotide alignments in a variety of taxa, primer design may not require using the Codehop strategy (personal observation from a new ongoing EPIC project).

BMC Evolutionary Biology

While the clergy limited their critique to the events of Birmingham, King not only responded to their local charges but he also widened the response by taking the clergymen on a whirlwind historical journey as he reviewed the ongoing epic battle between justice and injustice.

Huffington Post

The 2013 season, however, is an ongoing catastrophe of epic proportions.

Huffington Post

A: An epic song.

Vice

The EPIC (European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition) Study is an ongoing multi-centre prospective cohort study on diet, genetic and environmental factors and health.

BMC Endocrine Disorders

It's an ongoing conversation.

Independent

It's an ongoing process.

The New York Times

It was an ongoing nightmare.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context. While "an ongoing epic" can add a touch of drama, it may sound overly dramatic in some situations. Choose alternative phrases for less formal or serious contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "an ongoing epic" to describe trivial or insignificant situations. It's best reserved for events or narratives that genuinely possess a large scale or profound impact. Describing a minor disagreement as "an ongoing epic" can undermine the phrase's intended effect and come across as hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an ongoing epic" functions as a descriptive noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or an appositive. As confirmed by Ludwig, it aptly describes a narrative or event of considerable scope and duration. Examples show its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "an ongoing epic" is a grammatically correct descriptive term used to characterize situations or narratives of considerable scope and duration. Ludwig confirms its appropriateness for emphasizing the continuous development and significance of a subject. While not exceedingly common, the phrase is versatile and can be applied across different contexts, particularly in news, media, and academic writing. However, it's important to avoid overusing it in mundane situations to maintain its intended impact. Alternatives such as "a continuing saga" or "an unfolding narrative" may be more appropriate in less formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a continuing saga

Emphasizes the extended and dramatic nature of a series of events, similar to an epic, but perhaps with a more informal tone.

an unfolding narrative

Highlights the gradual and revealing nature of a story or situation, focusing on its progression over time.

a developing chronicle

Suggests a detailed and historical account that is still in progress, implying a more factual or documentary perspective.

an evolving story

Focuses on the changes and transformations occurring within a narrative, emphasizing its dynamic nature.

a protracted tale

Highlights the length and duration of the story, suggesting it may be long and possibly tedious.

a sustained narrative

Emphasizes the continuous and unbroken nature of the story, implying a consistent level of engagement.

a relentless chronicle

Suggests an unstoppable and persistent account of events, often with negative or challenging connotations.

a perennial story

Highlights the recurring or cyclical nature of the narrative, suggesting it is a story that is constantly revisited or re-enacted.

a ceaseless tale

Emphasizes the unending and incessant quality of the narrative, often implying a sense of being overwhelmed or burdened.

a never-ending story

An informal way to say a tale never reaches a conclusion.

FAQs

What does "an ongoing epic" mean?

The phrase "an ongoing epic" refers to a story, event, or situation that is lengthy, significant, and continuously unfolding. It suggests a grand scale and a sense of historical importance. It's usually employed to describe situations filled with challenges and triumphs, evolving in real-time.

How can I use "an ongoing epic" in a sentence?

You can use "an ongoing epic" to describe a variety of situations, such as "The environmental crisis has become "a continuing saga", an ongoing epic that affects the entire planet", or "The political turmoil in the region is "an unfolding narrative", an ongoing epic of power and resilience."

What are some alternatives to "an ongoing epic"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a continuing saga", "an unfolding narrative", or "a developing chronicle". The best choice will depend on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "an ongoing epic" in casual conversation?

While grammatically correct, "an ongoing epic" might sound overly dramatic or formal in casual conversation. In such situations, simpler alternatives like "a long story" or "a developing situation" might be more appropriate.