in the color of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in the color of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that has a specific color or hue. Example: "The walls of the room were painted in the color of soft lavender, creating a calming atmosphere."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sunlight streams in, the color of an egg yolk.

The New Yorker

There is the pleasure in the color of his own skin, he said.

The New York Times

But readers may at least have a say in the color of the magazine's logo.

The New York Times

All rested under a painted light box from Pucci that bathed everything in the color of flan.

The New York Times

The world is bathed in the color of heat, and, in our minds, we can see this, too.

The New Yorker

In "The Color of Paradise," the rural countryside through which Mohammad wanders is at once paradisiacal and fearsome.

The New York Times

This actor can play devious, as his brilliant turn in "The Color of Money" showed early in his career.

The New York Times

One item already selling well is a cable-knit sweater in the color of heather rose by J. Crew ($68).

The New York Times

The difference in the color of the fully hydrogenated region arises from interference effect, which depends on the film's thickness23.

Nature

In "The Color of Law," Richard Rothstein shows how and why this happened, and it wasn't by accident.

The Washington Post

Over the years, I have witnessed a change in the color of patients' lungs from pink to black.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in the color of" to provide a vivid and relatable description of a color by comparing it to something familiar. This helps create a stronger mental image for the reader.

Common error

While "in the color of" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or scientific writing. Opt for more precise color terminology when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the color of" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It's used to describe or specify the color of something by comparing it to a known object or shade. As confirmed by Ludwig, this usage is correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

25%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in the color of" is a grammatically correct and frequently used prepositional phrase that serves to describe the specific color of something by comparing it to a familiar object or shade. As supported by Ludwig AI, this construction allows for greater detail and relatability in descriptions. While it is suitable for many contexts, it is most frequently found in news and media, science, and wiki articles, and it should be used judiciously in highly formal or scientific writing. Common alternatives include phrases like "colored like" and "with the shade of". Overall, "in the color of" is a valuable tool for writers seeking to provide more nuanced and engaging color descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

colored like

Directly compares the color to something else.

with the shade of

Highlights a particular shade or tone.

hued in

Focuses on the coloring or tinting of something.

in the tone of

Emphasizes the specific tone or quality of the color.

tinted with

Implies a slight coloring or shading.

resembling the color of

More formal and emphasizes similarity in color.

with a coloring of

Highlights the act of coloring or the presence of color.

exhibiting the hue of

Focuses on the specific hue that is present.

in a shade reminiscent of

Suggests the color is similar to a specific reference point.

with the pigmentation of

Focuses on the underlying pigment that creates the color.

FAQs

How can I use "in the color of" in a sentence?

You can use "in the color of" to describe something's hue by relating it to a recognizable object or shade. For example, "The sky was in the color of a robin's egg".

What are some alternatives to "in the color of"?

Alternatives include "colored like", "with the shade of", or "hued in", depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "the car is blue" or "the car is in the color of blue"?

"The car is blue" is more direct and concise. Use "in the color of" when you want to specify a particular shade or compare the color to something else, such as "the car is in the color of a clear summer sky".

What's the difference between "in the color of" and "the color of"?

"In the color of" is used to describe something resembling a specific color, while "the color of" is used to identify the actual color of something. For example, "The paint was in the color of lavender" suggests a lavender-like shade, whereas "The paint was the color of lavender" states that it is lavender.