fable

USAGE SUMMARY

"fable" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is a noun that means a short story with a moral that typically features animals as characters. For example, "I grew up listening to my grandmother's fables about the importance of friendship and kindness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"My greatest regret is not dedicating the book to you," Saint-Exupéry wrote after completing his fable while in American exile, during a reconciliation with his estranged wife.

The Guardian - Books

Thirty-nine-year-old Carlyle's latest endeavour is There's Only One Jimmy Grimble, a gentle urban fable charting the journey of a lonely Manchester City fan from playground punchbag for the rival Reds to schools' cup final hero.

The Guardian - Film

Tinder by Sally Gardner (Indigo), looks at the folly of war through a reworking of Hans Christian Andersen's fable of the Tinderbox.

The Guardian - Books

If this fable is typical of the communication agency's strategic advice then Campbell would do well to think twice before accepting it.

The Guardian

Crane narrates his sonnet-sized fable in broad strokes, but the psychological insight is subtle.

The Guardian - Books

In Leonid Brezhnev's Soviet Union, when overt criticism of Stalin and Stalinism was no longer allowed, Burlatsky published an entire book about Mao Zedong and China, which, as his more discerning readers knew, was in reality a sort of Aesopian fable about Stalin and the Soviet Union.

The Guardian

But, as well as two-thirds of his title, Morgan has borrowed from Böll the structure and tone of a dark moral fable or fairytale.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Adapted from Michel Faber's 2001 novel, Glazer's film is a bizarre fable of lust and loneliness, casting 28-year-old Johansson as a vampire alien in search of fresh blood.

The Guardian - Film

To be sure, there's something of a parallel between the fable of IRS's vindictiveness against Tea Party groups and NSA surveillance.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, like a true fable for the meme age, In Touch got its comeuppance when it was discovered that its Jenner masterpiece was actually a doctored image of Dynasty actor Stephanie Beacham.

The Guardian - Arts

Democratic fingers are crossed that Republicans will show similar ineptitude in 2014.For their part Republicans look at Obamacare's continuing woes and see a delicious fable about the incompetence of a presidential team they scorn as callow, insular and obsessed with politics above policy.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the word "fable", ensure that the narrative indeed carries a moral or lesson, and that the characters and events serve to illustrate this point effectively.

Common error

Avoid using "fable" interchangeably with "myth" or "legend". While related, "fables" distinctly aim to impart a moral lesson through their narratives, often featuring animals or inanimate objects as characters, unlike myths or legends, which explore cultural origins or historical events.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of the word "fable" is that of a noun. It refers to a short story, typically featuring animals as characters, that conveys a moral or lesson. Ludwig examples show its usage in describing literary works and narratives with underlying meanings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "fable" is a frequently used noun that refers to a brief story conveying a moral. It commonly appears in news and media, formal business contexts, and discussions surrounding literature and storytelling. As Ludwig AI highlights, it correctly describes narratives that aim to impart wisdom through symbolic characters and events. When writing, remember that "fables" are distinct from other narrative forms like myths or fairy tales, due to their instructional intent. Using "fable" appropriately enhances clarity and precision when discussing literature and moral lessons.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

parable

A short allegorical story designed to illustrate or teach some truth, religious principle, or moral lesson.

allegory

A story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.

apologue

A moral fable, especially one with animals as characters.

didactic story

A narrative intended to teach a moral lesson.

exemplum

A brief tale used to illustrate a moral point.

moral tale

A story illustrating a principle of morality.

myth

A traditional story, especially one concerning the early history of a people or explaining some natural or social phenomenon, and typically involving supernatural beings or events.

legend

A traditional story sometimes popularly regarded as historical but not authenticated.

yarn

An entertaining story that is somewhat exaggerated or fictitious.

anecdote

A short and amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "fable" in a sentence?

Use "fable" to refer to a short story, typically with animals as characters, conveying a moral. For example, "The story of the Tortoise and the Hare is a classic "fable" that teaches the importance of perseverance".

What are some alternatives to the word "fable"?

Depending on the context, you can use words like "parable", "allegory", or "moral tale" as alternatives to "fable".

Is it correct to use "fable" when referring to a true story?

No, "fable" typically refers to a fictitious narrative. Using it to describe a true story would be inaccurate; consider using terms like "true story", "account", or "chronicle" instead.

What distinguishes a "fable" from a "fairy tale"?

While both are fictional narratives, a ""fable"" primarily aims to teach a moral lesson, often using animals or inanimate objects as characters. In contrast, a "fairy tale" focuses more on fantastical elements and entertainment, although it may also contain a moral.