as a performance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a performance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that is being done or presented in a manner similar to a performance, often in the context of art, theater, or any activity that involves a display or demonstration. Example: "The artist approached the installation as a performance, engaging the audience in a unique and interactive experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

As a performance, though, it was delightful.

The New Yorker

As a performance optimisation, AsyncHttpClient pools Netty channels for reuse.

The Guardian

The church also serves as a performance and exhibit space.

The New York Times

Propose having technology as a performance management target.

The Guardian

Peña Nieto's Presidency is often described as "a performance".

The New Yorker

It's a game about identity as a performance.

The Guardian - Tech

But as a performance it was pure star material.

The New York Times - Arts

In another life he worked as a performance poet.

The Guardian

But he critiqued the gathering as a performance.

The New York Times

Still, it came across as a performance in progress.

The New York Times - Arts

His name is Jim Fannin, who describes himself as a performance coach.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as a performance" to highlight the performative aspect of an action or event. For example, "The politician's speech was widely seen as a performance, designed to win votes."

Common error

Avoid using "as a performance" when simply describing an activity that requires skill or effort, but lacks the element of deliberate display or presentation to an audience. For example, saying "he approached his job interview as a performance" might be inappropriate if he was genuinely trying to be authentic, rather than putting on a show.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a performance" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase. It modifies a verb or noun, indicating the manner, perspective, or purpose behind an action or event. As Ludwig AI explains, it often describes something done or presented in a theatrical or demonstrative way.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as a performance" is a grammatically sound and commonly used prepositional phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's employed across diverse fields to denote the performative characteristics of actions or events. Predominantly found in news and media, this term serves to frame situations in terms of presentation and intent. When using "as a performance", focus on highlighting the aspect of deliberate display or staging, which avoids misapplication. If the staging part is not clear, consider alternatives such as "in a performative manner" to maintain clarity. Top sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscore its reliability in diverse writing contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the manner of a performance

Emphasizes the way something is done, highlighting its performative qualities.

presented as a performance

Focuses on the act of presenting something in a performative way.

from a performance perspective

Shifts the focus to the viewpoint of evaluating something as a performance.

considered as a performance

Highlights the act of regarding something in a performative light.

viewed as a performance

Emphasizes the act of seeing something as a show or display.

acting as a performance

Highlights when something effectively functions as a performance even if it wasn't intended to be.

functioning as a performance

Similar to acting as a performance, but focuses on the functional aspect.

akin to a performance

Indicates similarity to a performance, but suggests it might not fully be one.

resembling a performance

Similar to akin to a performance, emphasizing visual or stylistic resemblance.

in the style of a performance

Focuses on the stylistic aspects that make something similar to a performance.

FAQs

How can I use "as a performance" in a sentence?

Use "as a performance" to describe an event or action that is presented in a way that is intended to be observed or appreciated, much like a theatrical show. For example, "The debate was seen "as a performance" designed to sway public opinion".

What are some alternatives to "as a performance"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "in a performative manner", "presented as a show", or "viewed as a spectacle".

Is it always appropriate to describe something "as a performance"?

No, it's not always appropriate. "As a performance" implies that there is an element of display or intended observation. If an action is genuine and not staged, describing it "as a performance" might be misleading.

What's the difference between "as a performance" and "as an activity"?

"As a performance" emphasizes the staged, presented aspect of something, while "as an activity" simply refers to something that is being done. For instance, playing baseball can be seen as an activity someone loves, or "as a performance" for the audience.