en English es español fr française it italiano de deutsche ja 日本語 pl polski cs česky sv svenska tr Türkçe nl Nederlands

Famous mistake: why "is renown for" is incorrect

Reviewed and edited by Lloyd Cooper 02/10/2024, 18:56
English.me team member

What kind of error is it?

Is renown for or is renowned for. What's correct?

Collocation and spelling error

Why do people make this mistake?

The error arises from confusion between the noun "renown" and the adjective "renowned". People might think "renown" can function similarly to adjectives and be paired with "for", but this is incorrect in standard English usage.

What is correct?

The correct phrase is "is renowned for", using the adjective "renowned" to describe something that is well-known or famous.

Examples of correct usage

  • She is renowned for her innovative research.
  • This chef is renowned for preparing excellent French cuisine.
  • The city is renowned for its beautiful architecture.

Recommended posts in Grammar

The grammar crime of "he plead": understanding the past tense mistake

The grammar crime of "he plead": understanding the past tense mistake

People often make this error because they confuse the verb ... Learn more →

A singular misstep: correcting "a fungi"

A singular misstep: correcting "a fungi"

People often confuse the plural term "fungi" with the singular ... Learn more →

Why "has fell" falls short: a guide to correct usage

Why "has fell" falls short: a guide to correct usage

People often mistake the past participle "fallen" with the simple ... Learn more →

"Free reign": breaking the chains of common misuse

"Free reign": breaking the chains of common misuse

People make this error because "reign" and "rein" are homophones—words ... Learn more →