starring

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "starring" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate who the main actors are in a film, television show, or theatre production. For example: "The movie starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan was a huge success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Tech

Film

Business

Lifestyle

Travel

Arts

Opinion

TV & Radio

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These days, the best Hollywood can offer these is indulgent critiques of capitalism such as The Wolf of Wall Street, or David-and-Goliath issue movies such as Silkwood (starring Meryl Streep), or North Country, in which Charlize Theron proved women can be coal miners and have a perfect complexion.

The Guardian - Film

iPhone / iPad Hungry Henry (Free + IAP) There's a real sense of fun around this 8-bit-style action game, starring as it does a hippo (named Henry) with a taste for humans on inflatables.

The Guardian - Tech

The Telegraph man even managed to get in another digressive swipe, bringing up again the first night of Cause Celebre, starring Anne-Marie Duff, when the Independent's "old timer" slept all the way through the performance.

The Guardian

But 20 years ago, you couldn't move for thrillers in provincial theatres: always set in country houses or smart London flats, always starring an actor off the TV in neckerchief and fawn slacks (Gerald Harper or Jack Hedley or Bill Simpson), always featuring a drinks trolley, an attractive fiance, a best friend and a stalwart detective who appears after the interval to investigate the crime.

The Guardian

The BBC is likely to dominate Christmas viewing this year with a schedule including a Christmas Day edition of Doctor Who, starring Matt Smith and his successor as the doctor, Peter Capaldi, and the much-anticipated return of Sherlock on New Year's Day.

The Guardian

Wrestling drama Foxcatcher, starring Steve Carell and Channing Tatum, has had its 20 December release put off; Grace of Monaco has been moved to March 2014 while re-edits are completed, while James Gray's The Immigrant is no nearer a confirmed US release after a poorly-received premiere at the 2013 Cannes film festival.

The Guardian - Film

It is interesting that this book has twice been made into a film in French – most recently in 2008, starring none other than Isabelle Huppert in a role not unlike the character she plays in White Material.

The Guardian - Film

The rollicking satire also packs a message, something typical of films by director Rajkumar Hirani, who first had international success with 3 Idiots, also starring Khan.

The Guardian - Film

It's a carefully-crafted game starring a stretchy dog – nobody mention Adventure Time at this point – which works beautifully on a touchscreen.

The Guardian - Tech

International events with a British theme helped raise the brand's profile, with London streets recreated in a Shanghai warehouse and James Corden, the Beckhams and the Queen's Grenadier Guards starring at a one-off fashion show in Los Angeles in April.

The Guardian - Business

Moore can also be seen in Seventh Son, currently on release, and will next be starring in the Oscar-tipped drama Freeheld, opposite Ellen Page.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing reviews or promotional material, ensure you correctly identify all principal cast members after using "starring". It sets reader expectations accurately.

Common error

Avoid listing minor or cameo actors when using "starring". Focus on those who play key roles in the narrative to prevent misleading readers.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "starring" is as a present participle used attributively, modifying a noun (usually a film, show, or play) to indicate who the main actors are. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples, showcasing its standard use in describing the cast of media productions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Film

15%

TV & Radio

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Tech

2%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "starring" is a versatile and commonly used term to indicate the principal actors in a film, play, or TV show. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage in news and media contexts. When writing about media productions, using "starring" helps to clearly communicate who plays the key roles. While "featuring" and "with" offer alternative ways to mention actors, "starring" is more precise in highlighting the leading roles. Remember to accurately identify the main cast to avoid misleading your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

star

A shorter, more direct way of saying "starring".

in the lead role

Specifically denotes the primary actor or element.

featuring

Focuses on the inclusion of specific individuals without necessarily implying a leading role.

headlining

Emphasizes the actor or element as the main attraction or draw.

with

Indicates presence, but not prominence, of actors in a production.

playing the role of

Highlights the act of portraying a specific character.

led by

Emphasizes the leadership or guidance provided by a particular individual.

taking center stage

Emphasizes the prominence of the subject in a more metaphorical sense.

showcasing

Highlights the presentation of something prominent.

spotlighting

Emphasizes focusing attention on a particular person or thing.

FAQs

How do I use "starring" in a sentence?

Use "starring" to introduce the main actors in a film, play, or TV show. For example, "The movie "starring Tom Hanks" was a box office success."

What are some alternatives to "starring"?

You can use alternatives such as "featuring", "with", or "headlining" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "starring" for a non-human entity?

While typically used for actors, "starring" can be creatively applied to objects or locations if they play a central, prominent role. For example, "The film "starring the city of Paris"".

What's the difference between "starring" and "featuring"?

"Starring" typically implies a leading role, while "featuring" simply means that someone or something is included, not necessarily in a primary capacity.