several portrayals

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "several portrayals" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to multiple representations or depictions of a subject, character, or theme in various forms of media or art. Example: "The documentary featured several portrayals of the artist's life, showcasing different perspectives from friends and critics."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

This wouldn't be so bad if several portrayals in the show -- Nefertiti as a black soul diva; Queen Isabella as a Latina home girl, among others -- didn't affect inauthentic mimicry; neither of the two performers has the talent to lift these scenes from discomforting racial stereotyping.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

I saw several stunning portrayals of Christ, Calvary, and various saints and angels.

Vice

Rather than take a point-by-point rebuttal to the two commentaries discussed in this piece, we discuss thematic issues with several opponents' portrayals of the National Popular Vote plan.

Huffington Post

The earliest actor to have essayed the role is William Gillette (a founding member of the New York Holmes society still known as the Baker Street Irregulars), who gave several popular theatrical portrayals at the turn of the 20th century.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Shearman and Pearson analyzed the portrayals of several of the series' regular characters as 1930s villains, noting several meta-references to the wider series.

Wikipedia

For the Metropolitan Opera's first performance this season of Wagner's "Tristan und Isolde," conducted by Daniel Barenboim on Nov. 28, Mr. Seiffert, 54, a German singer acclaimed for his portrayals of several leading Wagner roles, had an electronic device in one ear that allowed him to hear cues from his own prompter.

The New York Times - Arts

He has been the subject of several biographies and fictionalized portrayals.

Wikipedia

In the January 22 , 2006issue, columnist Frank Rich used the term seven times, with credit to Colbert, in a column titled "Truthiness 101: From Frey to Alito", to discuss Republican portrayals of several issues (including the Samuel Alito nomination, the Bush administration's response to Hurricane Katrina, and Jack Murtha's Vietnam War record).

Wikipedia

Many kinds of distances--temporal, spatial, and, above all, psychological--were explored in Jane Urquhart's Away through the portrayal of several generations of Irish immigrants in Canada, while Audrey Thomas, in Graven Images, delved into the past to find many a familiar artifact of human life.

Encyclopedia Britannica

She won several awards for her portrayal of the Doctor's companion Rose Tyler, including most popular actress category at the National Television Awards in 2005, opposite Christopher Eccleston and 2006, opposite David Tennant.

BBC

Richardson has been nominated for several awards for his portrayal of Ste.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "several portrayals" when you want to indicate that a subject has been depicted or represented in multiple ways, highlighting the variety of perspectives or interpretations. This phrase works well in critical analyses of media, art, or historical figures.

Common error

Avoid using "several portrayals" without providing specific examples or details. Simply stating that there are "several portrayals" can be vague. Strengthen your writing by mentioning specific instances or characteristics of these portrayals to provide context and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "several portrayals" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as an object or complement in a sentence. As Ludwig AI highlights, it refers to multiple depictions or representations of something, often in media or art.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Wiki

26%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Science

12%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "several portrayals" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase that refers to multiple depictions or representations of a subject. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability. It is most commonly found in News & Media, Wiki and Encyclopedias, and maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse writing contexts. While "several portrayals" is a useful phrase, be sure to provide specific examples to enhance clarity and avoid vagueness in your writing. Alternatives such as "various depictions" or "multiple representations" can add nuance depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

various depictions

Changes the noun from "portrayals" to "depictions" while retaining the adjective "various" for multiplicity.

multiple representations

Replaces both words with synonyms emphasizing the idea of numerous representations.

numerous depictions

Substitutes "several" with "numerous", stressing the abundance of depictions.

various characterizations

Replaces "portrayals" with "characterizations", specifically highlighting the representation of characters.

diverse interpretations

Shifts the focus to interpretations, suggesting a range of perspectives rather than mere depictions.

varied representations

Uses "varied" as a synonym for "several", highlighting the diversity of representations.

different depictions

Emphasizes the difference between depictions, rather than just their quantity.

multiple accounts

Changes the focus to accounts, suggesting different narratives or descriptions.

several accounts

Retains the original structure but changes "portrayals" to "accounts", focusing on narrative representations.

numerous characterizations

Combines "numerous" and "characterizations" to emphasize a large number of character-focused portrayals.

FAQs

How can I use "several portrayals" in a sentence?

You can use "several portrayals" to discuss different depictions of a subject. For example, "The documentary examined "several portrayals" of the historical event, highlighting their contrasting perspectives".

What are some alternatives to "several portrayals"?

Alternatives include "various depictions", "multiple representations", or "numerous depictions", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "several portrayals" formal or informal?

"Several portrayals" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, the surrounding language and the specific publication will influence the overall tone.

What is the difference between "several portrayals" and "multiple portrayals"?

While both phrases are similar, "several portrayals" suggests a limited but not insignificant number, whereas "multiple portrayals" simply indicates more than one. The choice depends on the specific emphasis you want to convey.