explicit portrayals

USAGE SUMMARY

"explicit portrayals" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing clear and direct representations of subjects, often in contexts like art, literature, or media. An example could be: "The film includes explicit portrayals of violence that may not be suitable for all audiences." Alternative expressions include "clear depictions" and "direct representations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Why? There's a huge debate going on about "sexualisation", but it is narrowly focused on explicit portrayals of sexuality in videos aimed at a young market.

The Guardian - Opinion

What is odd is that there is really very little genuine horror here - except in a few photographs, and in the explicit portrayals, usually as medical teaching aids, of horrible diseases and tortures.

The Guardian

Now that explicit portrayals of feminine sexuality aren't automatically considered derogatory, Minter's work confronts another stigmatized medium of expression: the worlds of fashion and glamour.

Huffington Post

Snoop was vilified for his explicit portrayals of street life during this era, and he acknowledged that he still resents unnamed preachers and singer Dionne Warwick for portraying him as "the worst black man ever created".

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

At least some of the novel's success was due to its explicit portrayal of political corruption and police torture.

The New York Times - Books

Yet his work largely eschewed religion itself, considering any explicit portrayal of Christianity bad for business in North Africa and Asia, where Walt hoped to market his animated films.

The Guardian - Opinion

Clark, whose 1995 film Kids provoked similar concerns due to its explicit portrayal of teenage private lives, pointed out that much of his work had already been shown in France without any problems.

The Guardian - Arts

A habitat network is defined as a spatially explicit portrayal of environmental conditions across large landscapes that can be used to understand the status and trends of species of conservation concern, particularly in relation to how species' needs are met through management of habitat abundance and distribution.

Models for Planning Wildlife Conservation in Large Landscapes

The circulating libraries in England banned the book because of its explicit portrayal of the amorous pursuits of its hero.

Wikipedia

It featured an explicit depiction of Mr. Corzine's relationship with a former girlfriend, Carla Katz, who happens to be the head of a major state employees union, and, less sensationally, a portrayal of Mr. Forrester as gangster in the Edward G. Robinson mold.

The New York Times

Maya Angelou's first volume of her autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, was accused of being too explicit in its portrayal of rape and sexual abuse.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal critiques, distinguish between 'explicit' (meaning clear and detailed) and 'graphic' (meaning vivid and often visceral or disturbing).

Common error

Avoid using the phrase solely for adult or controversial content. In technical or scientific contexts, like the ScienceDirect example, it describes a clear mapping of environmental conditions. Use it whenever clarity and detail are the defining features of a representation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explicit portrayals" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective 'explicit' modifies the plural noun 'portrayals'. In the examples provided by Ludwig, it often serves as the object of a preposition (e.g., 'because of its...') or the subject of a discussion regarding media standards and representation.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Arts & Culture

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Legal

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "explicit portrayals" is a highly versatile and correct English expression. Ludwig data shows its presence across a wide spectrum of high-quality sources, from media critiques in The Guardian to environmental modeling in ScienceDirect. While often associated with graphic media, its core meaning is simply 'clear and detailed representation'. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and carries a professional tone, making it ideal for authors who need to describe direct renderings of subjects without resorting to more colloquial or emotionally charged language like "blunt depictions".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

graphic depictions

emphasizes the visual or visceral nature of the content

overt representations

focuses on the lack of secrecy or subtlety rather than just detail

vivid illustrations

suggests a high level of clarity and detail, often in a more positive or artistic light

unfiltered accounts

implies a lack of censorship or narrative polishing

blunt portrayals

highlights a directness that may be perceived as harsh or insensitive

detailed renderings

more clinical or artistic, focusing on the precision of the work

frank descriptions

suggests an honest and straightforward verbal account

candid depictions

implies a natural, unposed, or informal quality

stark portrayals

emphasizes a harsh, bare, or severe reality

unambiguous images

focuses on the clarity of meaning and lack of double-meanings

FAQs

How do I use "explicit portrayals" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe media content, such as: The documentary was praised for its "explicit portrayals" of historical events. It is also used in scientific modeling to denote "direct representations" of data points.

What is the difference between explicit and graphic portrayals?

While often used together, "explicit" refers to something stated clearly and in detail, whereas "graphic portrayals" usually imply a visual intensity that might be shocking or visceral.

Can I say "clear portrayals" instead?

Yes, "clear portrayals" is a suitable alternative if you want to avoid the potential association with restricted or sensitive content often linked to the word explicit.

Is "explicit portrayals" formal enough for an essay?

Absolutely. It is a standard academic and journalistic term used by authoritative sources like "The New York Times" and "ScienceDirect" to describe detailed subject matter.