as symbol of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as symbol of" is not correct in standard written English; it should be "as a symbol of." You can use it when you want to indicate that something represents or signifies another concept or idea.
Example: "The dove is often recognized as a symbol of peace."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

Well, nothing new there: the car as symbol of America's rise and fall.

The New Yorker

These are colours of our national flag that is recognised in Belarus as symbol of resistance".

The Guardian

These are colors of our national flag that is recognized in Belarus as symbol of resistance.

The Guardian

Her victory, when taken as as symbol of progress, is a victory for all.

The Guardian - Opinion

He said he chose the setting as symbol of the wealthy life the protagonist aspired to.

The New York Times

The popular snack had been previously banned by Pyongyang as symbol of capitalism.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

(Large cups of soda as symbols of human dignity?

The New York Times

They wore them as symbols of status and power.

Independent

They all served as symbols of pride, achievement and possibility.

The New York Times - Sports

He uses individuals as symbols of the mass.

The Guardian

Still, street names resonate as symbols of identity.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always include the article 'a' before 'symbol' when using the phrase, ensuring correct grammar. Use "as a symbol of" to clearly indicate that something represents something else.

Common error

Avoid using the grammatically incorrect phrase "as symbol of". Always remember to include the article 'a' to form the correct phrase "as a symbol of".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as symbol of" (grammatically incorrect) attempts to function as a prepositional phrase, aiming to modify a noun or verb by indicating what it represents. Ludwig AI, points out it should correctly be used as "as a symbol of".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

17%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "as symbol of" is commonly found, it's grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "as a symbol of". Ludwig AI clearly indicates this distinction. This phrase aims to establish a symbolic relationship, most frequently in news and media contexts. Remember to include the article 'a' for grammatical accuracy and consider alternatives like "as emblematic of" for stylistic variation. Though attempts for neutrality, its incorrect usage undermines its formality in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a symbol of

Adds the article 'a', correcting the grammatical structure.

as emblematic of

Replaces 'symbol' with a synonym, emphasizing representational function.

as representative of

Uses 'representative' to highlight the act of standing in for something else.

as a sign of

Substitutes 'symbol' with 'sign', indicating indication or omen.

considered a symbol of

Emphasizes the act of regarding something as a symbol.

viewed as a symbol of

Highlights the perspective of seeing something as a symbol.

taken as a symbol of

Focuses on the interpretation of something as a symbol.

in the guise of

Implies a deceptive or assumed appearance.

as an allegory for

Replaces 'symbol' with 'allegory', suggesting a deeper, more complex symbolic meaning.

by way of symbolizing

Expresses the act of symbolizing in a more verbose manner.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "as symbol of"?

The correct way to say "as symbol of" is "as a symbol of". The original phrase is grammatically incorrect due to the missing article 'a'.

Can I use other words instead of "symbol" in the phrase "as a symbol of"?

Yes, you can use words like "emblem", "representation", or "sign" depending on the context.

What does "as a symbol of" mean?

"As a symbol of" means that something represents or stands for something else. It's used to convey that one thing signifies another concept or idea.

Is "as symbol of" ever correct?

No, "as symbol of" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. You should always use "as a symbol of" instead.