literary current

USAGE SUMMARY

'literary current' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe the prevailing trends in literature, either in a certain place or period of time. For example, you could say, "The literary current in early 21st century England is largely influenced by postmodernism."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

I don't think you'd want to assimilate Hannah Crafts into this particular literary current.

The New Yorker

Kevin Baker on the "literary current in Mitt Romney's seemingly mindless ramblings".

The New Yorker

Despite his own coquetries with nationalism, Caion focused his verve on Transylvania's contemporary nationalist literary current.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

This school is said to have derived much of its aesthetic from European literary currents such as Dadaism and Expressionism.

Encyclopedia Britannica

With the beginning of the 20th century, avant-garde literary currents encouraged a "modernist" phase related to the Symbolist movement in Western poetry.

Encyclopedia Britannica

O'Faolain also founded a literary magazine, The Bell, in 1940, and it remained a crucial outlet for the best Irish writers, particularly during World War II, when Ireland's neutrality isolated it even further from wider European literary currents.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The lack of publishing houses in Cuba before 1959 allowed magazines to become an essential vehicle for disseminating literary currents during their publication period.

Johns Hopkins University

In general, the series hopes to familiarize students of modern languages and those of other intersecting disciplines with contemporary literary currents and their influence on European culture.

Johns Hopkins University

What used to be music festivals are now really food, beer, merchandise, drama, literary and current-affairs-journalism festivals.

The Guardian - Opinion

What do you make of the current literary scene?

The New York Times - Magazine

Our current literary moment is obsessed with autobiography and memoir.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing a specific period or region, use "literary current" to pinpoint the dominant style, themes, or philosophies in the literature of that context.

Common error

Avoid using "literary current" as a vague descriptor. Instead, specify the characteristics of the current, its key figures, and its impact on literary works. For example, instead of saying "The literary current is changing", specify "The current literary current is shifting towards more diverse voices and themes."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "literary current" functions as a noun phrase that identifies and categorizes the prevailing styles, themes, or ideologies within the field of literature at a particular time. It acts as a descriptor for ongoing influences and movements, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "literary current" effectively describes the prevailing trends and movements within literature. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and appropriate usage across various contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and academic discussions. While "literary current" may not be a very frequent expression, it provides a concise way to characterize the dominant styles, themes, and philosophies shaping the literary world. For those seeking alternative expressions, phrases like "literary trend" and "literary movement" offer similar semantic value, depending on the specific nuance desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

literary trend

Replaces "current" with "trend", emphasizing a general direction or pattern in literature.

literary movement

Substitutes "current" with "movement", highlighting a more organized and defined direction in literary style or thought.

literary tendency

Uses "tendency" instead of "current", focusing on a prevailing inclination in literature.

prevailing literary style

Replaces the entire phrase with a more descriptive term, emphasizing the dominant style in literature.

contemporary literary scene

Focuses on the present time, replacing "current" with "scene" to describe the existing literary environment.

literary climate

Employs "climate" as a metaphor to describe the prevailing conditions and attitudes in literature.

intellectual atmosphere in literature

Expands the concept to include the broader intellectual context influencing literature.

literary fashion

Compares literary trends to fashion, emphasizing their transient nature.

popular literary themes

Shifts the focus to the recurring subjects and ideas that are prominent in literature.

dominant literary discourse

Highlights the prevailing conversations and discussions within the literary world.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "literary current" in a sentence?

Use "literary current" to describe the prevailing styles, themes, and philosophies influencing literature at a particular time. For instance, "Postmodernism is a significant "literary current" in contemporary fiction".

What phrases are similar to "literary current"?

Alternatives to "literary current" include "literary trend", "literary movement", and "prevailing literary style", each subtly altering the emphasis on direction or impact.

Is "literary current" formal or informal language?

"Literary current" is generally considered neutral to formal language, suitable for academic, journalistic, and critical writing. It's less common in informal conversation.

What is the difference between "literary current" and "literary trend"?

While similar, "literary current" often implies a deeper, more influential flow of ideas, whereas "literary trend" might suggest a more superficial or transient fashion in literature.