pose for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pose for" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used when someone is taking a picture, either professionally or casually. For example: "I asked my sister to pose for me while I took her picture."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They pose for pictures.

The New York Times

Tourists pose for snapshots.

The New York Times

Politicians came out to pose for pictures.

The New York Times

Did you pose for Playboy?

The New York Times

Families pose for cellphone photos.

The New York Times

Don't pose for a headshot.

The Washington Post

Several asked Mrs. Liu to pose for photos.

The New York Times

What challenges did they pose for artists?

Columbia University

Stay in this pose for five breaths.

Harvard University

Desperate-looking characters pose for mug shots.

The New York Times

"Did we pose for that?" I ask.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pose for" when you want to indicate that someone is deliberately positioning themselves to be photographed or painted. It implies a conscious effort to create a specific image.

Common error

Avoid using "pose for" when you mean "posing as", which means pretending to be someone else. For example, don't say "He posed for a doctor" when you mean "He was posing as a doctor".

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "pose for" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of positioning oneself deliberately for a photograph, painting, or other form of visual representation. Ludwig AI shows examples where it's used both transitively (with an object, like "pose for pictures") and intransitively.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

22%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Science

4%

Huffington Post

3%

The Guardian - Lifestyle

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "pose for" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the act of positioning oneself for a photograph or other visual representation. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage in various contexts, from news and media to academic writing. While synonyms like "strike a pose" exist, "pose for" maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication. Remember to distinguish it from "posing as", which indicates impersonation. Overall, "pose for" is a versatile and reliable phrase for describing the act of creating a visual image.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strike a pose

Emphasizes a deliberate and often stylized body position, typically for a photograph.

model for a photo

Specifically highlights the act of modeling, implying a professional or semi-professional setting.

prepare for a snapshot

Focuses on the act of getting ready for an informal photograph, often spontaneous.

get ready for a picture

A more general way of saying to prepare for an image to be taken.

look photogenic

Focuses on achieving an aesthetically pleasing appearance in photographs, rather than the act of posing.

sit for a portrait

Implies a more formal and extended session for a painting or drawing.

face the camera

Simply directs someone to look towards the camera, lacking the nuance of actively posing.

present oneself for a photo

A more formal and deliberate way of indicating someone is making themselves available for a photograph.

get in position for a photo

Highlights the act of moving into a specific spot or arrangement for a picture.

create an image

Broadly refers to the act of producing a visual representation, not necessarily involving a person.

FAQs

How do you use "pose for" in a sentence?

The phrase "pose for" is used to describe the action of someone positioning themselves for a photograph, painting, or other visual representation. For example: "The tourists asked the celebrity to "pose for" a picture with them."

What does it mean to "pose for" something?

To "pose for" something means to position oneself in a specific way so that someone can create a picture, painting, or other visual representation of you. It implies a conscious and deliberate action to create an image.

Which is correct, "pose for a photo" or "pose to a photo"?

"Pose for a photo" is the correct phrasing. The preposition "for" indicates the purpose or reason for posing, while "to" is not grammatically correct in this context.

What are some synonyms for "pose for"?

Some synonyms for "pose for" include "strike a pose", "model for a photo", or simply "get ready for a picture", depending on the context.