portrayal

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'portrayal' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to express the depiction or representation of someone or something. For example, "The movie offered an interesting portrayal of the struggles of modern day families."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Film

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Woman in Gold is released in cinemas next month, but at its premiere in Berlin the Austrian reviewers were generous about its portrayal of a national reluctance to face the art crimes of the past, according to playwright Alexi Kaye Campbell, who wrote the screenplay.

The Guardian - Arts

Simon O'Connell, the executive director of Mercy Corps Europe, states that "both NGOs and journalists have been guilty of an overly-simplistic portrayal of people who are caught in crisis or poverty and both groups need to get better at telling that story".

The Guardian

Some people, however, believe Buena Vista's portrayal of Cuba might be a little distorted.

The Guardian - Music

Selma has run into controversy over its portrayal of Johnson.

The Guardian - Film

This week, when Eddie Redmayne won a Golden Globe for his portrayal of Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything, he became the latest in a long line of non-disabled actors to portray disabled characters.

The Guardian - Opinion

Pretty much everyone, on the other hand, who reads a newspaper or watches TV says they feel shocked by their portrayal.

The Guardian

Which brings us to the optics of another portrayal of Indigenous Australians at the memorial – the stone gargoyles depicting an Aboriginal man and woman set, consecutively, at the end of two native fauna in the memorial's courtyard.

The Guardian

Australia's richest woman is seeking to determine whether the drama is defamatory in its portrayal of her fraught relationship with her late father, Lang Hancock, and his wife Rose, a former housemaid Rinehart employed to care for her father after her mother died.

The Guardian - Business

The portrayal of violence is appropriately limited and is shown within the context of long-running storylines – and programmes that include scenes which some people may find upsetting are clearly flagged to viewers at the beginning of the broadcast.

The Guardian

However, it criticises the portrayal of Moriarty in BBC One drama Sherlock.

The Guardian

An instant critical success, Mulligan's portrayal of a schoolgirl's love affair with a conman in the 1960s ended up with a Bafta best actress award and nominations for the Oscars and the Golden Globe.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "portrayal" when you want to emphasize the manner in which something is depicted or represented, especially concerning accuracy and interpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "portrayal" when a simple factual description is sufficient. "Portrayal" implies a degree of interpretation, bias, or artistic license that might not always be present or intended.

Linguistic Context

The noun "portrayal" functions as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence, describing the act or result of depicting someone or something. As Ludwig AI indicates, this word is grammatically correct and commonly used. Examples include "the sympathetic "portrayal"" or "dubious "portrayal"".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Film

10%

Opinion

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "portrayal" is a common and grammatically correct noun used to describe the act of depicting or representing something, often with a focus on accuracy and interpretation. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is widespread across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Film, and Opinion pieces. When using "portrayal", ensure it implies a deliberate act of depiction rather than a simple description. Consider alternatives like "depiction" or "representation" to fine-tune the intended meaning. By understanding its nuances, writers can effectively convey their intended message, avoiding common pitfalls in usage. The word also has the most authoritative sources such as The Guardian, The New York Times and BBC.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

depiction

Focuses more on the visual representation of something.

representation

Emphasizes standing in for or symbolizing something else.

characterization

Highlights the creation and description of a character's traits.

rendering

Implies a specific interpretation or artistic execution.

image

Refers to a visual or mental picture of something.

account

Describes a narrative or explanation of events or a person.

interpretation

Suggests a subjective understanding and explanation.

version

Implies a specific telling or presentation of a story or event.

sketch

Focuses on a brief or incomplete description.

delineation

Highlights the outlining or defining of something with precision.

FAQs

How to use "portrayal" in a sentence?

Use "portrayal" to describe the way someone or something is depicted or represented, especially concerning accuracy, fairness, or artistic merit. For example, "The film's "portrayal" of the historical event was criticized for inaccuracies."

What can I say instead of "portrayal"?

You can use alternatives like "depiction", "representation", or "characterization" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "portrayal of" or "portrayal about"?

"Portrayal of" is the correct and more commonly used prepositional phrase. For example, "The "portrayal" of women in the media" is correct, while "The "portrayal" about women in the media" is less common and potentially incorrect.

What's the difference between "portrayal" and "representation"?

"Portrayal" often implies a subjective or interpretive depiction, while "representation" is a more general term for standing in for or symbolizing something. A "portrayal" can be a specific kind of representation, often with artistic or interpretive elements.