patron

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "patron" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a person who supports or champions a cause, organization, or individual, often in the context of the arts or business. Example: "The gallery was grateful for the generous support of its patron, who helped fund the new exhibition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

How was I to explain to him that to me, seeing Achebe would be similar to, say, a Catholic coming face to face with his patron saint?

The Guardian - Books

He was the patron of an alternative medicine charity run by Dr Patrick Pietroni, who had a GP practice in the basement of Marylebone Church.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Fellow Iona patron Professor Patricia Casey was publicly rebuked on two separate occasions last year for misusing research from both Uppsala University and UNICEF to reach the same dubious conclusion, prompting UNICEF Ireland's executive director Melanie Verwoerd to slam Casey's spin as "incorrect and unacceptable".

The Guardian

It was said that his patron Cosimo de' Medici had to lock him in a room at the Medici palace to get him to stay away from lovers long enough to work.

The Guardian - Arts

And the elderly patron who settled in to watch from the comfort of his collapsable fishing chair certainly did not see it coming when he was sent flying by a screaming drive through extra cover from the right-handed batsman.

The Guardian - Sport

The melancholy poetry of its secular patron saint, Philip Larkin, seems to ooze from the banks of the Humber.

The Guardian

A further link with Gaudí is that his patron, Eusebi Güell, was closely associated with the management of the hospital and at one point provided one of his houses as an isolation ward during a cholera outbreak at the hospital.

The Guardian

Speaking at a party for "on-air and on-screen" stars last week, he chose "talent" as his subject, bullishly arguing that the BBC's role as "a patron of performers, writers, and film-makers" is one of the strongest justifications of the licence fee, and listing successes - such as the BBC2 series Picture This and 10 x 10 - in giving newcomers their first break.

The Guardian

Iraq's Sunnis, disenfranchised by the overthrow of their patron, Saddam Hussein, were taking the fight to US forces – and starting to turn their guns towards the beneficiaries of Hussein's overthrow, the country's majority Shia population.

The Guardian

St Catherine is one of the patron saints of haute couture in France.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The book's Francescho section is prefaced by the drawing of a pair of eyes held on a delicate plant's stalk – itself a version, by Smith's partner, film-maker Sarah Wood, of a detail of a del Cossa of St Lucy, patron saint of oculists, blind people and writers; according to tradition, she had her eyes taken out by her Roman oppressors.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to someone who supports the arts, use "patron" to convey a sense of tradition and cultural appreciation.

Common error

Avoid misspelling "patron" as "patern", as "patern" is not a recognized English word. Double-check your spelling to ensure clarity and accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "patron" is that of a noun. It refers to an individual or entity that supports or protects something, like an organization, a cause, or an artist. As supported by Ludwig AI, its usage is grammatically sound and contextually appropriate.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "patron" functions primarily as a noun, denoting someone who supports an organization, artist, or cause. According to Ludwig, the word demonstrates strong grammatical correctness and is sourced from authoritative sources. It appears most frequently in news and media, business, and scientific contexts, with a neutral to formal register. Alternative phrases include "sponsor", "supporter", and "benefactor", each with slightly different nuances. A common error is confusing "patron" with "patern". Overall, "patron" is a versatile and frequently used term in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sponsor

Emphasizes financial or material support for an event, organization, or activity.

supporter

Highlights active assistance and encouragement.

benefactor

Focuses on providing charitable assistance or donations.

customer

Refers to someone who regularly purchases goods or services from a business.

client

Implies a professional relationship where services are provided in exchange for payment.

advocate

Highlights public support and promotion of a cause or idea.

promoter

Focuses on actively encouraging and publicizing something.

backer

Implies financial or moral support for a person or project.

contributor

Highlights providing something, such as money or resources, to a common fund or cause.

subscriber

Refers to someone who pays to receive a publication or service regularly.

FAQs

How to use "patron" in a sentence?

You can use "patron" to describe someone who supports an organization, artist, or cause, such as, "The art gallery is grateful for the support of its generous "patron"".

What can I say instead of "patron"?

You can use alternatives like "sponsor", "supporter", or "benefactor" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "patron" or "patern"?

"Patron" is the correct spelling when referring to a supporter or benefactor. "Patern" is not a recognized English word, so ensure you use the correct spelling.

What's the difference between "patron" and "customer"?

"Patron" often implies a more sustained or significant relationship of support, especially in arts or charitable contexts, whereas "customer" simply denotes someone who purchases goods or services from a business.