portrays

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "portrays" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to presenting an idea or feeling in a particular way, usually through art, writing or performance. For example: The painting portrays a powerful, yet melancholic image.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The petition against Target selling GTAV was started by a group of former sex workers and victims of domestic violence angry at the way the game portrays women.

The Guardian - Opinion

He portrays knowledge and experience being cast aside as so much obsolescent bunk; the vision of a cleared-out library fits what he says to perfection.

The Guardian - Opinion

Although the actress who portrays her is light skinned and blonde, La Cuatro is often referred to as being savage and wild.

The Guardian - Opinion

Moreover, it is a transformational book because it portrays Nigeria as a place that is mythical, marvellous, chaotic and slightly dangerous, yet also wildly fascinating, with a magnetic power to attract its brightest emigrés back to its shores.

The Guardian - Books

Hill of Doors (Picador) is a companion piece to his superb The Wrecking Light (2010): it portrays human conciousness caught between animal impulse and divine aspiration, trapped in a thuggishly material world that is oblivious to higher concerns.

The Guardian - Books

He also has the Martin Scorsese film The Wolf of Wall Street, in which he portrays a New York stockbroker, set for release later this year.

The Guardian - Film

The event illustrates much deeper issues about the ways in which western culture talks about and portrays the continent.

The Guardian

Though Ukip portrays itself as free market and libertarian, it is also deeply nostalgic, socially conservative, and suspicious of immigrants and big-government bureaucracy, especially from the EU's Brussels headquarters.

The Guardian

In order to make the argument for such a social contract persuasive, Hobbes portrays a dangerous world filled with unknown enemies perpetually striving to murder one's family and destroy one's property, a nation filled with untrustworthy neighbours, isolated individuals who live in fear of each other, and only the power of the state to protect society from the evils inherent in human nature.

The Guardian - Opinion

In a moment of Romantic exhilaration Courbet portrays himself as a "madman", his face ecstatic and terrified.

The Guardian

Durer portrays through this emblem his own inner life and intuits the mind's complexity.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "portrays", ensure the subject clearly demonstrates the qualities or characteristics being represented. For example, "The artist portrays the subject as resilient."

Common error

Avoid using "portrays" with abstract subjects that cannot be visually or figuratively represented. Instead of saying "The theory portrays happiness", consider "The theory describes happiness."

Linguistic Context

The verb "portrays" primarily functions as a transitive verb. It requires a direct object to indicate what is being represented or depicted. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in describing how subjects are represented in various media.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "portrays" is a versatile verb used to describe how something is represented or depicted. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. When using "portrays", it's important to ensure the subject can be visually or figuratively represented. Alternatives like "depicts", "represents", and "illustrates" can add nuance to your writing. By understanding its function and purpose, you can effectively use "portrays" to convey specific qualities or characteristics.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

depicts

A direct synonym, simply replacing one verb with another with minimal shift in meaning.

represents

Focuses on standing for or symbolizing something, slightly broader than a direct depiction.

illustrates

Emphasizes clarifying or making something understandable through depiction.

presents

Highlights the act of showing or offering something to an audience.

characterizes

Emphasizes identifying and describing the key qualities of something.

shows

A more general term for revealing or displaying something.

paints a picture of

Uses figurative language to suggest a vivid and detailed depiction.

gives an account of

Focuses on providing a narrative or description of events or circumstances.

outlines

Focuses on presenting the main features or structure of something.

embodies

Implies representing something in a tangible or concrete form.

FAQs

How can I use "portrays" in a sentence?

Use "portrays" to describe how someone or something is depicted, often through art or media. For example, "The movie "portrays him as a hero"".

What words are similar to "portrays"?

Alternatives to "portrays" include "depicts", "represents", and "illustrates". Choose the word that best fits the nuance of your sentence.

Is it correct to say "portrays about"?

No, the correct usage is simply "portrays" followed by the object being represented. For example, "The book portrays the challenges of immigration" is correct, while "The book portrays about the challenges of immigration" is incorrect.

What's the difference between "portrays" and "describes"?

"Portrays" often implies a visual or artistic representation, while "describes" is a more general term for giving details about something. For example, a painting "portrays" a scene, while a text "describes" it.