chief characters

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chief characters" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the main or most important characters in a story, play, or other narrative forms. Example: "In the novel, the chief characters are intricately developed, each with their own unique backstory and motivations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

It ends with the notably unconsoling funeral of one of her chief characters.

The Guardian - Books

His chief characters are adolescents, wholly disaffected but only as all adolescents under whatever regime always are.

The Economist

All we can say is that it is not true of Michel and Valérie, the chief characters of Platform.

The Guardian - Books

The chief characters in the Perseus legend, Perseus, Cepheus, Cassiopeia, Andromeda, and the sea monster (Cetus), all figure in the night sky as constellations.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the north-central area, the Kuksu cults enact the myths of the creator and the culture hero with Coyote and Thunder as the chief characters.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The title role, though danced with many brilliant jumps on Monday by the illustrious Natalia Osipova, proves the most anonymous of its four chief characters.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

The chief character in this saga of Deutsch's rise and fall is André Deutsch himself.

The New York Times - Books

Chuck Todd, of NBC, has predicted that Obama will serve as Clinton's chief "character witness".

The New Yorker

The chief character is Bob Arctor Keanu Reevess), a social dropout in flight, we learn, from bourgeois life.

The Guardian

Houellebecq's chief character, Michel, is an accountant at the ministry of culture in Paris.

The Guardian - Books

It's all combined with Mike Kane, who's the chief character designer, and his guys.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing multiple works, use "chief characters" to differentiate the most important figures across various stories or plays.

Common error

Avoid using "chief characters" to describe every character in a narrative; reserve it for those with the most significant impact on the plot and themes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chief characters" functions as a noun phrase, where "chief" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "characters". It identifies the most important figures in a narrative. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "chief characters" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote the most important characters within a narrative, as confirmed by Ludwig. It functions as a noun phrase, is suitable for neutral contexts, and appears most often in news and media. Alternatives such as "main characters" or "principal characters" can be used for variety. Remember to use this phrase to describe only the most significant figures, avoiding confusion with minor roles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

main characters

Replaces "chief" with "main", indicating primary importance.

principal characters

Substitutes "chief" with "principal", emphasizing the leading role.

central characters

Uses "central" instead of "chief", focusing on the core figures.

leading characters

Replaces "chief" with "leading", highlighting the characters who drive the plot.

key characters

Uses "key" instead of "chief", denoting essential importance.

primary characters

Substitutes "chief" with "primary", indicating fundamental significance.

major characters

Replaces "chief" with "major", suggesting significant roles.

prominent characters

Uses "prominent" instead of "chief", emphasizing visibility and importance.

significant characters

Substitutes "chief" with "significant", denoting considerable influence.

core characters

Replaces "chief" with "core", focusing on the essential figures.

FAQs

How can I use "chief characters" in a sentence?

You can use "chief characters" to refer to the most important characters in a story. For example, "The plot revolves around the interactions of the "chief characters"."

What is a good alternative to "chief characters"?

Alternatives include "main characters", "principal characters", or "leading characters", depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "chief characters" and "minor characters"?

"Chief characters" are the most important and influential in the story, while "minor characters" have less significant roles and impact.

Is it correct to use "chief characters" when referring to real people?

While typically used in fiction, you can use "chief characters" when discussing the main individuals involved in a real-life event or situation, especially if framing it as a narrative.