precious lesson

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "precious lesson" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize the value of a lesson someone has learned. For example, "After the accident, my grandmother taught me a precious lesson about being careful and attentive when driving."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

But the Giants haven't forsaken him, and he'll have learned a precious lesson.

The Guardian - Sport

"Thank you Abah and Emak for giving me this precious lesson, so I can live my life," she says.

The New York Times

It felt like a precious lesson alongside the advice given to Bill Bailey: "Keep saying funny things".

The Guardian

If my children have learned anything, it is that their world is full of people who love them, and perhaps this is a more precious lesson than any promise of good luck.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Precious lessons, each borne out in the artist's own practice.

The New York Times - Arts

Early on, he saw the challenge that is laid down to every darling of the art house: ask not what the mainstream can do for you but what you can bring to the mainstream, and what precious lessons might be trawled along the way.

The New Yorker

Again, if he was like me, he was far from anticipating the hardest, most precious lessons taught at Harvard Law: the finitude of one's own powers; the twin, paradoxical necessities of self-reliance and interdependence; and the humanity that comes when one finds oneself a long way from perfection, and then finds new ways of striving.

The New York Times

It's in these intimate moments that life's precious lessons are learned.

Huffington Post

Precious Lessons from the Workplace There is a saying that if we constantly keep our eyes open, there is always a lesson to be learned in every situation.

Huffington Post

I think that we make choices and decisions that create opportunities for ourselves or result in missteps and even failures that teach us precious lessons if we look for them.

Huffington Post

One of the precious lessons we learned was the need to overhaul our resident training programs to instill a greater component of general medicine into over-specialized post-graduate training.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "precious lesson" to highlight the significant value or importance of the lesson learned, especially when it involves personal growth or a change in perspective.

Common error

Avoid using "precious lesson" in situations where the lesson learned is minor or inconsequential. Overusing it can dilute its impact and make your writing sound melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "precious lesson" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "precious" modifies the noun "lesson". It highlights the value and importance of the lesson learned. As Ludwig AI states, this emphasizes the worth of the information.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "precious lesson" is a grammatically correct and understandable expression used to highlight the significant worth of a learning experience. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, noting its effectiveness in emphasizing value. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts and while the phrase isn't incredibly common, it's a useful way to underscore the importance of a particular lesson learned. When using "precious lesson", remember that overuse of it could reduce its impact, and consider alternatives such as "valuable lesson" or "important lesson" for similar, yet subtly different, emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

valuable lesson

Replaces "precious" with "valuable", keeping the core meaning intact but with a slightly less emphatic tone.

priceless lesson

Emphasizes the inestimable value of the lesson learned, similar to "precious" but with a stronger sense of monetary worth.

invaluable lesson

Highlights the irreplaceability and high value of the lesson.

important lesson

Substitutes "precious" with "important", highlighting the significance of the lesson learned.

significant lesson

Uses "significant" instead of "precious", emphasizing the notable impact of the lesson.

golden lesson

Metaphorically replaces "precious" with "golden", indicating a lesson of high value and importance.

unforgettable lesson

Focuses on the lasting impact and memorability of the lesson.

life-changing lesson

Highlights the transformative nature of the lesson, suggesting a profound impact on one's life.

a lesson well-learned

Emphasizes the successful integration and understanding of the lesson.

a lesson hard-earned

Shifts the focus to the effort involved in learning the lesson, suggesting it was not easily acquired.

FAQs

How can I use "precious lesson" in a sentence?

You can use "precious lesson" to describe a significant learning experience, such as, "The experience taught her a "precious lesson" about resilience."

What's a good alternative to "precious lesson"?

Alternatives include "valuable lesson", "important lesson", or "significant lesson", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it okay to use "precious lesson" in formal writing?

Yes, "precious lesson" is acceptable in formal writing, especially when emphasizing the importance of the lesson. However, consider alternatives like "valuable lesson" in certain contexts for a more neutral tone.

What makes a lesson "precious"?

A "precious lesson" is one that holds significant personal value and often leads to a positive change in perspective or behavior. It's a lesson that is deeply cherished and remembered.