tribute to

USAGE SUMMARY

'tribute to' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to describe something that is honoring or celebrating a person or thing. For example: "The concert was a tribute to the late musician's ten-year career in the industry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

— A Tribute to Woodstock.

The New York Times

Arrival, tribute to ABBA.

The New York Times

Voyage, tribute to Journey.

The New York Times

That's a tribute to them.

The New York Times - Sports

Tusk, tribute to Fleetwood Mac.

The New York Times

A tribute to deserving charities?

The New York Times

Rain, tribute to the Beatles.

The New York Times

Yesterday, tribute to the Beatles.

The New York Times

| A tribute to Penélope Cruz.

The New Yorker

Hindenberg, tribute to Led Zeppelin.

The New York Times

Musical Box, tribute to Genesis.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tribute to" when you want to express admiration or respect for someone or something. Ensure the context clearly indicates what or who is being honored.

Common error

Avoid using "tribute to" in contexts where you're merely describing something similar to another thing. "Tribute to" implies intentional honor, not accidental resemblance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tribute to" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun, indicating the purpose or intention behind an action or creation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes something honoring or celebrating a person or thing. Examples show it describing concerts or songs.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

11%

Science

11%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "tribute to" is a grammatically correct and very common prepositional phrase used to express respect, admiration, or commemoration. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in describing acts honoring or celebrating something. Predominantly found in News & Media, it maintains a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal contexts. When writing, ensure that the context clearly indicates what or who is being honored, and avoid using the phrase merely to describe similarities. Alternative phrases include "homage to" and "in honor of".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

homage to

Replaces "tribute" with "homage", suggesting a more formal or ceremonial expression of respect.

in honor of

Emphasizes the act of honoring someone or something, shifting the focus slightly from the tribute itself.

in memory of

Specifically used to commemorate someone who has passed away.

in commemoration of

Similar to "in memory of", but can also refer to events or milestones.

as a mark of respect for

A more verbose alternative that underscores the feeling of respect.

acknowledgment of

Highlights the recognition of someone's achievements or contributions.

recognition of

Similar to acknowledgment, but can also imply public or formal recognition.

celebration of

Focuses on celebrating the positive aspects of someone or something.

a nod to

An informal way to acknowledge influence or inspiration.

in deference to

Suggests respect for someone's seniority or authority.

FAQs

How is "tribute to" generally used in a sentence?

Typically, "tribute to" is used to describe an action, event, or creation that is intended to honor someone or something. For example, "The concert was a "tribute to" the Beatles".

What are some alternatives to "tribute to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "homage to", "in honor of", or "in memory of".

Is it correct to say "a tribute for" instead of "a tribute to"?

No, the correct preposition to use with "tribute" in this context is "to". Saying "a tribute for" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "a tribute to" and "an influence on"?

"A tribute to" implies an intentional act of honoring or showing respect. "An influence on", on the other hand, simply means something has affected or shaped something else, without necessarily implying any intention of homage.