photo of

USAGE SUMMARY

"photo of" is a correct part of a sentence.
You can use it when you are referring to a photograph of something or someone. Example: I took a photo of the sunset last night.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A photo of victory.

The New York Times - Sports

Snap a subtle photo of him.

The New York Times

Send a photo of yourself puckering up.

WikiHow

See attached photo of press release.

The New York Times

Photo of Potter by Richard Avedon.

The New Yorker

(Photo of Brooklyn Rider by Richard Frank).

The New Yorker

Photo of Bruno Bührer.

Harvard University

Group photo of Chas.

Cornell University

Photo of mausoleum.

Cornell University

A photo of a penis.

The New York Times

Overhead photo of disaster site.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "photo of", ensure the context clearly indicates what the photo depicts. For instance, specify details like "photo of the Eiffel Tower at sunset" for better clarity.

Common error

Avoid using only "photo of" without specifying the subject, as this can lead to ambiguity. Instead of saying "Here's a photo of," provide context, such as "Here's a "photo of" the team celebrating their victory."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "photo of" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun, indicating the subject or content of a photograph. As confirmed by Ludwig, this usage is grammatically sound. It serves to specify what is depicted in a visual representation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "photo of" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to specify the subject of a photograph. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is versatile and widely used across various contexts, including news, academia, and general communication. While suitable for neutral registers, it lacks the formality required for strict academic writing. Remember to ensure clarity by providing sufficient context when using "photo of" to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "image of" or "representation of" based on the specific meaning you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

photograph of

Uses the more formal word "photograph" instead of "photo", increasing the formality slightly.

image of

Replaces "photo" with the more general term "image", broadening the scope to include non-photographic visuals.

picture of

Substitutes "photo" with "picture", a common synonym denoting a visual representation.

snapshot of

Replaces "photo" with "snapshot", implying a quick, informal picture.

depiction of

Employs "depiction" as a synonym for "photo", suitable for formal contexts.

portrait of

Substitutes "photo" with "portrait", specifically referring to a depiction of a person's face.

visual of

Replaces "photo" with the more generic "visual", emphasizing the visual aspect.

representation of

Uses a more abstract term, "representation", making the phrase applicable to various forms of depiction beyond photography.

illustration of

Substitutes "photo" with "illustration", implying a drawn or computer-generated image.

scan of

Implies the photo is a digital reproduction from a physical object using a scanner.

FAQs

How can I use "photo of" in a sentence?

Use "photo of" to specify what a picture depicts. For instance, "This is a "photo of" my family on vacation" or "Can you show me a "photo of" the new product?". It's crucial for describing visual content.

What are some alternatives to "photo of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "image of", "picture of", or "representation of". The best choice depends on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "photograph of" instead of "photo of"?

Yes, "photograph of" is grammatically correct and more formal than "photo of". They are largely interchangeable, but "photograph of" may be preferred in formal writing.

What's the difference between "photo of" and "snapshot of"?

"Photo of" is a general term for any photograph, while "snapshot of" implies a quick, informal picture. Use "snapshot of" when you want to emphasize the spontaneity of the photo.