overriding narrative

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "overriding narrative" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a dominant or prevailing story or theme that influences or shapes other narratives or perspectives. Example: "In the discussion of climate change, the overriding narrative is the urgent need for immediate action to mitigate its effects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Sports

Arts

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

The overriding narrative is that liberalisation has hurt farmers, with tens of thousands committing suicide as they have not been able to bear unsupportable debt.

Independent

It undermined his overriding narrative and seems to have caused him real personal anguish.

The Guardian

This implies an overriding narrative, which is unusual for an exhibition nearly devoid of text labels and unaccompanied by a meet-the-artist introductory video.

The New York Times - Arts

MIAMI — Besides going the distance and sparing the N.B.A. a yawning gap at the height of its 2013 postseason, the Eastern Conference finals may best be remembered for fast forwarding the overriding narrative for the 2013-14 regular season.

The New York Times - Sports

Granted, one third is not a percentage that meets anyone's idea of parity, but it does lend faith to those who insist that the Connecticut-Tennessee cold war will not be the overriding narrative in the sport for much longer.

The New York Times - Sports

The paper cautions against the overriding narrative that community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) is intrinsically 'good'good

Pastoralism

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

If any thread holds this weird and well-acted film together, it's a kind of sustained riff on the idea of narrative: our difficulty arranging story events into artful plots or our overriding desire for the closure of a coherent ending, which "Catechism" spectacularly thwarts in a literally mind-blowing surrealist finale.

The New York Times

Yet in The Millstone, virginity – or, to put it differently, a female reluctance, a demurral, in relation to the overriding sex narrative – feels like a significant part of the imaginative terrain the young writer is staking out and making her own.

The Guardian - Books

Three generations of the miller's family form the backbone of the story but there is no overriding or direct narrative.

The Guardian - Books

In theory, the plan was to engage Chelsea in a game of association football; in practice, this was mandatorily subsumed by the overriding contest of NARRATIVE.

The Guardian - Sport

This said, the overriding objective in fashioning self-narratives is to replace fragments of tales that are incoherent or unacceptable with a coherent story indicative of self-constancy (Linde, 1993), so that narrators can 'recognize themselves in the stories they tell about themselves' (Ricoeur, 1988: 247).

Human Relations

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "overriding narrative" when you want to emphasize the most important and influential story or theme that shapes understanding or interpretation of events or ideas. Ensure this narrative is explicitly identified and its influence is clearly demonstrated within your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "overriding narrative" to present a personal opinion as a widely accepted truth. Ensure that the narrative you're describing is genuinely dominant and supported by evidence, rather than simply your own perspective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "overriding narrative" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "overriding" modifies the noun "narrative". It is used to identify the most dominant or influential story or theme that shapes the understanding of events or ideas. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "overriding narrative" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig. It refers to the most dominant or influential story or theme shaping the understanding of events or ideas. While not extremely common, it appears frequently in news and media, as well as scientific and formal business contexts. The phrase helps to emphasize the central, most important storyline. Alternatives include "dominant storyline" and "prevailing theme". When using the phrase, ensure that the narrative is genuinely dominant and well-supported by evidence, avoiding the presentation of personal opinions as facts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grand narrative

Replaces 'overriding' with 'grand' to indicate a comprehensive and overarching story.

dominant storyline

Replaces 'narrative' with 'storyline', emphasizing the sequential and unfolding aspect of the theme.

prevailing theme

Substitutes 'overriding' with 'prevailing' and 'narrative' with 'theme', focusing on the dominant subject or idea.

key theme

Focuses on the essential thematic element without necessarily implying a full narrative.

central argument

Replaces the concept of a narrative with the core argument or thesis being presented.

leading interpretation

Focuses on the most widely accepted or influential understanding of a subject.

principal account

Uses 'account' instead of 'narrative', highlighting the descriptive or explanatory nature of the story.

chief explanation

Highlights the main reason or justification given for a particular phenomenon or event.

major discourse

Shifts the focus to the broader discussion or communication surrounding a central idea.

primary focus

Emphasizes the main area of attention or concentration, rather than a storyline.

FAQs

How can I use "overriding narrative" in a sentence?

You can use "overriding narrative" to describe a dominant theme or story that influences how events are understood. For example, "The "overriding narrative" in the election was the economy."

What's a good alternative to "overriding narrative"?

Alternatives to "overriding narrative" include "dominant storyline", "prevailing theme", or "central argument", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "overriding narrative" in formal writing?

Yes, "overriding narrative" is suitable for formal writing, particularly when analyzing events, themes, or arguments in an objective and analytical manner. Its usage is frequently observed in academic and journalistic contexts.

What is the difference between "overriding narrative" and "main narrative"?

"Overriding narrative" suggests a narrative that is not only central but also dominant and influential, shaping the understanding of other related narratives. "Main narrative", on the other hand, simply denotes the primary or central story, without necessarily implying the same degree of influence or control. Thus, "overriding narrative" conveys a greater sense of impact and pervasiveness than "main narrative".