through the prism of

USAGE SUMMARY

"through the prism of" is a valid expression that can be used in written English.
It is used to refer to the way in which something is viewed or considered in a particular light. For example, "This study will examine the current political landscape through the prism of economic recession."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

through the prism of my imagination.

The New York Times

But politicians also peer through the prism of self-interest.

The New York Times

They speak individually, not through the prism of political allegiance.

The Guardian - Opinion

But we see the world through the prism of money.

The New York Times

That mirror does it through the prism of artists' imaginations".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

You learn history through the prism of this building's life".

The Guardian

The story is told through the prism of two sites.

Journal of Historical Geography

Issues are seen through the prism of region and religion.

The Economist

Examining China through the prism of Japan is instructive.

The New York Times

Everything is not seen through the prism of being a tobacco state".

The New York Times

It was a relationship drama refracted through the prism of the spy genre.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "through the prism of" to introduce a specific perspective or framework through which a topic is being analyzed. It adds a layer of interpretation and encourages the reader to consider the viewpoint's influence.

Common error

While "through the prism of" is a useful phrase, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "from the perspective of" or "in light of" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "through the prism of" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a specific perspective or framework for understanding a subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, this structure is grammatically sound and common. It is often used to indicate that an analysis or interpretation is being conducted from a particular point of view.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "through the prism of" is a prevalent prepositional phrase used to signify a particular perspective or framework influencing the understanding of a subject. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly employed across various contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific discourse. While versatile, it's advisable to vary your language to avoid repetition, using alternatives like "from the perspective of" or "in light of". Its function is to frame discussions, interpretations, or analyses within a specific contextual lens. Given its neutral to formal register, it's well-suited for analytical and academic writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

viewed through the lens of

Similar to the original, but uses "lens" instead of "prism" as the metaphor.

from the perspective of

Replaces the prism metaphor with a more direct reference to perspective.

understood in the context of

Emphasizes the surrounding circumstances influencing understanding.

in light of

Focuses on understanding something based on new information or a specific factor.

interpreted through the framework of

Suggests using a specific set of ideas or assumptions for understanding.

considering from the standpoint of

A more formal alternative emphasizing a specific viewpoint.

examined from the vantage point of

Implies a privileged or insightful perspective.

as seen from the angle of

Highlights a particular viewpoint or perspective.

assessed in terms of

Focuses on evaluating something based on specific criteria.

with regard to

A more general way of saying "in relation to" or "concerning".

FAQs

How can I use "through the prism of" in a sentence?

You can use "through the prism of" to indicate a specific viewpoint or perspective. For example, "The issue was analyzed "through the prism of" economic factors".

What's a good alternative to "through the prism of"?

Alternatives include phrases like "from the perspective of", "in light of", or "viewed "through the lens of"", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "through the prism of" formal or informal?

"Through the prism of" is generally considered appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, though it tends to appear more frequently in analytical or academic writing.

What does "through the prism of" mean?

The phrase "through the prism of" means considering or understanding something from a particular, often unique, viewpoint or perspective. It suggests that the viewpoint influences the way the subject is perceived.