collective narrative

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "collective narrative" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a shared story or account that is created or understood by a group of people. Example: "The documentary explores the collective narrative of the community's struggle for civil rights over the decades."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

We've lost our collective narrative, she continues.

The New Yorker

They were adjusting their collective narrative to make room for coexistence with onetime enemies.

The New York Times - Books

Across the festival you'll find a strong theme of both the personal and collective narrative.

The Guardian

"It's a combination of the sentimental -- of the personal stories -- and the collective narrative of this heroic group of men".

The New York Times

I become fearful of my mind's liquidity, my ability to retain my own images and feelings rather than surrendering to what is almost instantly becoming the collective narrative.

The New York Times - Books

Those few moments, 40 years ago tomorrow, are carved not only into Jackson's memory but into the collective narrative of America.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Hugo says his work attempts to look at what he calls "conflicting personal and collective narratives".

The Guardian - Arts

"I am interested in the places where these (conflicting personal and collective) narratives collide.

The Guardian - Arts

The gunky Olivier, she writes, "could be a metaphor for a Soviet émigré's memory: urban legends and totalitarian myths, collective narratives and biographical facts, journeys home both real and imaginary — all loosely cemented with mayo".

The New York Times - Books

"Some bands focus on the bedroom genius narrative, but we're trying to subvert that and write songs that are stories telling collective narratives that have to do with the many personalities in the band," Hill says.

The Guardian - Music

Art is one of the ways by which cultures create their collective narratives, and everyone loses out when only a narrow slice of experiences are valued.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "collective narrative" to analyze how different groups within a society construct shared understandings of their past and present.

Common error

Avoid using "collective narrative" when you are referring to individual experiences or perspectives. "Collective narrative" specifically denotes a shared understanding or story held by a group, not personal viewpoints.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "collective narrative" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a shared story or understanding within a group, as illustrated by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "collective narrative" is a noun phrase that refers to a shared story or understanding held by a group, as indicated by Ludwig. It is grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts, especially in news and media, and scientific domains. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage and offers alternatives such as "shared narrative" or "communal narrative". When using the phrase, ensure you are referring to a shared understanding and not individual perspectives. The phrase often appears in neutral to formal registers, making it suitable for academic and professional discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shared narrative

Emphasizes the aspect of being commonly held among a group.

communal narrative

Highlights the community aspect of the narrative.

group narrative

Focuses on the narrative belonging to a specific group.

societal narrative

Indicates a narrative prevalent within a society.

cultural narrative

Refers to a narrative embedded in a culture.

national narrative

Specifies a narrative pertaining to a nation.

common story

A more simplified way to describe a narrative that is known by many.

prevailing narrative

Focuses on the narrative that is currently dominant or widely accepted.

dominant narrative

Highlights the narrative that holds the most influence.

historical narrative

Highlights how the shared story has unfolded across time.

FAQs

What does "collective narrative" mean?

"Collective narrative" refers to a shared story, account, or understanding that is created and held by a group of people, reflecting their common experiences, values, and beliefs.

How can I use "collective narrative" in a sentence?

You can use "collective narrative" to describe how a community remembers its history or how a group makes sense of current events. For example, "The documentary explores the "collective narrative" of the community's struggle for civil rights over the decades."

What are some alternatives to "collective narrative"?

You can use alternatives like "shared story", "communal narrative", or "group narrative" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "collective narrative" and "historical narrative"?

"Collective narrative" refers to a shared story within a group, while "historical narrative" specifically refers to the way historical events are interpreted and presented. A "collective narrative" can shape or be shaped by a "historical narrative".