pride and joy

USAGE SUMMARY

"pride and joy" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something that makes you feel incredibly proud and happy. For example, "My children are my pride and joy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"My pride and joy".

The New Yorker

"Our pride and joy".

The New Yorker

You are our "pride and joy".

The New York Times

Which gave them infinite pride and joy.

The New Yorker

"That was his pride and joy.

The New York Times

Pride and joy filled the theater.

The New York Times - Arts

"It's my pride and joy".

The New York Times

She's my pride and joy.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It's the club's pride and joy.

Princeton University

My students are my pride and joy.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

What is your pride-and-joy project?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "pride and joy", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being valued. It's often used to describe children, pets, hobbies, or accomplishments.

Common error

While versatile, "pride and joy" can sound sentimental in strictly professional or academic writing. Opt for more neutral terms like "significant achievement" or "key asset" in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pride and joy" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject complement or an appositive. It identifies someone or something as a source of great satisfaction and happiness. Ludwig examples illustrate its usage in both personal and professional contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Academia

27%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

7%

Wiki

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pride and joy" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express deep satisfaction and affection. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage across diverse contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media and Academia, it effectively conveys the high value placed on a person, object, or achievement. While versatile, it's best to avoid its sentimental tone in highly formal settings, ensuring its use aligns with the intended register. Numerous authoritative sources, including The New York Times and The Guardian, validate its frequent appearance in various forms of English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

greatest joy

This simplifies the phrase to focus on the feeling of joy.

apple of my eye

This is an idiomatic expression for someone greatly cherished.

my heart's delight

This suggests the subject brings immense joy and fulfillment.

source of great happiness

This alternative highlights the positive emotion derived from the subject.

joy and delight

This alternative emphasizes two positive emotions caused by the subject.

great source of pleasure

This emphasizes the delightful aspect of the person or thing.

cherished one

This emphasizes the act of holding someone or something dear.

treasured possession

This focuses on the value and importance placed on something.

most prized possession

This highlights the high value and significance attributed to the subject.

my beloved

This emphasizes the deep affection felt.

FAQs

How can I use "pride and joy" in a sentence?

You can use "pride and joy" to describe something or someone that makes you feel very proud and happy. For example, "My garden is my "pride and joy"" or "My grandchildren are my "pride and joy"".

What can I say instead of "pride and joy"?

Alternatives to "pride and joy" include "source of great happiness", "greatest joy", or "apple of my eye" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "pride and joy" a common expression?

Yes, "pride and joy" is a very common and widely understood expression in English to describe something or someone that one is extremely proud of and finds great pleasure in.

Can "pride and joy" be used to describe an inanimate object?

Yes, "pride and joy" can be used to describe an inanimate object, a skill, or an achievement that one cherishes and takes great satisfaction in. For instance, "My classic car is my "pride and joy"".