it captures the spirit of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it captures the spirit of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe how something embodies or represents the essence or character of a particular idea, theme, or concept. Example: "The film is a beautiful tribute to the city; it captures the spirit of its vibrant culture and rich history."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Sweet Violets may be flawed but it captures the spirit of its era.

The Guardian

There is nothing arch, knowing or clever-clever about this film, but it captures the spirit of its time to near perfection.

The Guardian - Arts

It captures the spirit of Lewis in its extreme vision of radical democracy of the stardom that inheres in even the least heralded and most overlooked of neighbors.

The New Yorker

It captures the spirit of the Pythons".

The Guardian - Film

Partly biographical, it captures the spirit of the times expertly, but nostalgia looms large.

The Guardian - Film

It captures the spirit of Beirut, with the small street cafes and Arab students from all over the world.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

It captured the spirit of this brilliant tournament.

The Guardian - Sport

Marginal in size, it captured the spirit of the young, creative Moscow types who protested against the Kremlin in December 2011.

The Economist

It captured the spirit of an upbeat era that reduced all of life to engineering problems with scientific solutions.

The New York Times

Of Dickens's voice we learn how mobile it was — like the rest of him — and how readily it captured the spirit of his characters.

The New York Times

– Giglover01 3. Def Leppard – Hysteria Listening back now, it's very easy to date Hysteria, it just sounds so 80s with it's midi sampled drum sounds, lyrics, and Ronald Reagan samples, but that isn't a bad thing, it captured the spirit of the time in a way that still sounds great today - when is the last time you heard Motley Crue or Whitesnake on the radio?

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it captures the spirit of" when you want to emphasize not just representation, but also the emotional and intangible qualities of something.

Common error

Avoid using "it captures the spirit of" in contexts where the connection between the subject and the 'spirit' is weak or undefined. Be specific about what aspect of the spirit is being captured to avoid vagueness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it captures the spirit of" functions as a descriptive expression, attributing a quality of embodiment or representation of a particular essence or feeling. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression is common and suitable for describing how something embodies an intangible quality.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Arts

12%

Science

12%

Less common in

Lifestyle

6%

Travel

6%

Sport

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it captures the spirit of" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe how something embodies or represents the essence of a particular idea, theme, or concept. Ludwig AI validates its usability in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media and Arts contexts, the phrase conveys a qualitative assessment, highlighting the resonance of a subject with specific intangible qualities. When writing, prioritize specific examples to support the claim of capturing the spirit and avoid overuse in vague contexts. Alternatives include "it embodies the essence of" and "it reflects the character of" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it embodies the essence of

Replaces 'captures the spirit' with 'embodies the essence', focusing on a tangible representation.

it reflects the character of

Substitutes 'captures the spirit' with 'reflects the character', emphasizing a mirrored representation.

it encapsulates the feeling of

Changes 'captures the spirit' to 'encapsulates the feeling', highlighting the emotional aspect.

it perfectly represents

Replaces the entire phrase with a direct assertion of perfect representation.

it is a true reflection of

Emphasizes authenticity and accuracy in mirroring the subject.

it resonates with the soul of

Uses 'resonates with the soul' to convey a deeper, more emotional connection.

it mirrors the soul of

Expresses a deeper, more intrinsic resemblance.

it evokes the atmosphere of

Shifts focus to the atmospheric and sensory impressions.

it channels the energy of

Emphasizes the dynamic and vital force being represented.

it is imbued with the essence of

Highlights the presence of a core quality or substance.

FAQs

How can I use "it captures the spirit of" in a sentence?

Use "it captures the spirit of" to describe how something embodies the essence or character of a particular idea, theme, or concept. For example: "The film is a beautiful tribute to the city; "it captures the spirit of" its vibrant culture and rich history."

What are some alternatives to "it captures the spirit of"?

You can use alternatives like "it embodies the essence of", "it reflects the character of", or "it encapsulates the feeling of" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "it captures the spirit of" versus "it represents"?

"It captures the spirit of" is best used when you want to emphasize the emotional, intangible, or essential qualities of something. "It represents" is more suitable when describing a factual or symbolic representation without necessarily conveying an emotional connection.

Is "it captures the spirit of" formal or informal?

"It captures the spirit of" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal writing, although it tends to appear more frequently in journalistic or creative contexts than in highly formal academic writing.