- Do you often use the word “modern” but feel like your English sounds repetitive?
- Are you unsure whether to describe a person as a “contemporary” or “modern” colleague?
- Have you ever struggled to find the right adjective for current social issues in a formal essay?
Mastering contemporary collocations is essential for moving beyond basic English and achieving a natural, sophisticated flow. While many learners rely on “modern” for everything, native speakers and academic writers use “contemporary” to describe things happening exactly at this moment or things that existed at the same time in history. Understanding how this word pairs with nouns and prepositions will significantly boost your lexical resource and reduce language anxiety in professional settings.
Common Collocations with Contemporary as an Adjective
As an adjective, “contemporary” is highly versatile. It primarily describes things that are happening now or things that belong to the same period as someone else.
Arts, Culture, and Design
In the creative world, “contemporary” refers to the specific styles and movements of the 21st century.
- Contemporary art: The museum is famous for its collection of contemporary art.
- Contemporary dance: She performs contemporary dance, which blends ballet and modern movements.
- Contemporary music: The festival features contemporary music ranging from electronic to indie rock.
- Contemporary design: Our new office features contemporary design with open spaces and minimalist furniture.
Society and Current Affairs
When discussing politics, sociology, or daily life, “contemporary” signals that a topic is relevant to the world today.
- Contemporary society: Social media has a profound impact on contemporary society.
- Contemporary issues: The documentary explores contemporary issues like climate change and digital privacy.
- Contemporary life: Stress seems to be an unavoidable part of contemporary life.
- Contemporary culture: Pop icons play a massive role in shaping contemporary culture.
Academic and Historical Context
In research, “contemporary” often means “existing at the same time” as the subject being studied.
- Contemporary accounts: Historians rely on contemporary accounts of the war to understand the soldiers’ experiences.
- Contemporary sources: We verified the date by checking contemporary sources from the 18th century.
- Contemporary setting: The play is a retelling of Hamlet but placed in a contemporary setting.
Essential Collocations using Contemporary as a Noun
When used as a noun, “contemporary” refers to a person. It is often used in the plural or with the preposition “of.”
Professional and Peer Relationships
- A contemporary of: Shakespeare was a contemporary of Christopher Marlowe; they lived and worked at the same time.
- His/Her/Their contemporaries: Unlike many of his contemporaries, Einstein’s theories were not immediately accepted.
- Literary contemporaries: Hemingway and Fitzgerald were literary contemporaries who often influenced each other.
Master Summary Table
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Contemporary art | Adjective + Noun | Art produced at the present time. |
| Contemporary issues | Adjective + Noun | Current problems or topics of debate. |
| Contemporary society | Adjective + Noun | The community/world as it is today. |
| A contemporary of | Noun + Preposition | Someone living at the same time as someone else. |
| Contemporary setting | Adjective + Noun | A modern-day environment or time period. |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| Actual issues (when meaning current) | Contemporary issues |
| Modern people (for peers) | His contemporaries |
| The today society | Contemporary society |
| Modern sources (for historical evidence) | Contemporary sources |
“In my contemporary dance class yesterday, we discussed how contemporary society influences artistic expression. My instructor, who was a contemporary of several famous choreographers, argued that contemporary issues like technology should be the focus of our next performance. We are trying to blend contemporary design with traditional storytelling to create a unique contemporary setting for the stage.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Contemporary Collocations
What is the difference between ‘modern’ and ‘contemporary’?
In general English, they are often synonyms meaning “now.” However, in art and history, “Modern” refers to a specific period (roughly 1860s–1970s), while “Contemporary” refers strictly to the art of the present and very recent past.
Can I use ‘contemporary’ to describe an old person?
Yes, but only in relation to someone else. For example, “George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were contemporaries.” It doesn’t mean they are young; it means they lived at the same time as each other.
What preposition follows ‘contemporary’ when used as a noun?
The most common preposition is “of.” You would say “He was a contemporary of Picasso.” If using it as an adjective, you do not need a preposition before the noun (e.g., “contemporary music”).
Is ‘contemporary’ formal or informal?
It is generally considered neutral to formal. While perfectly fine in conversation, it is the preferred term in academic writing, journalism, and professional critiques over the simpler word “modern.”
Does ‘contemporary’ always mean ‘right now’?
No. If you are discussing the 17th century, a “contemporary writer” refers to someone who was writing during that specific 17th-century period, not someone writing today.
I've heard 'contemporary issues' a lot in news reports. Is there a difference between 'contemporary issues' and 'social issues'? Or can they be used interchangeably?
The article mentioned 'contemporary colleague.' Does this mean a colleague who works with me *now*, or someone who just happens to be working in the same field at the same time, even if we don't directly interact?
That's a very precise question, Mia! When referring to a person, 'a contemporary colleague' usually means someone who is your colleague *at the present time*, working with you in your current professional context. For example, 'My contemporary colleagues and I are working on a new project.' It emphasizes the 'of the same time' aspect in a shared professional setting. If you wanted to refer to someone in the same field but not necessarily working *with* you, 'a contemporary in the field' or 'a contemporary scholar' would be more appropriate.
Are there any more unusual or less common collocations with 'contemporary' that a native speaker might use but a learner might miss? Like, 'contemporary thought' or 'contemporary relevance'?
I'm excited to use 'contemporary' now, but how do I avoid overusing it? Are there situations where 'current' or 'present-day' are simply better, even if 'contemporary' technically fits?
That's a very practical concern, Jin! It's great to expand your vocabulary, but balance is key. You're right, 'current,' 'present-day,' and even 'up-to-date' are often excellent alternatives, especially in less formal contexts or when you want to avoid sounding repetitive. 'Contemporary' often carries a slightly more analytical or academic weight. For instance, 'current events' might be more common than 'contemporary events' in daily news. Try to vary your word choice based on the specific context and desired tone. Keep up the excellent analytical thinking!
This is exactly what I needed! My vocabulary for formal writing just got a major upgrade. Thank you, Translateen!
What about something like 'contemporary art history'? Does that mean the history of art that is contemporary *now*, or art that was contemporary *in its own time*?
That's an excellent and subtle point, Anja! In the phrase 'contemporary art history,' it typically refers to the history *of contemporary art*. So, it's the study of art from the current period (roughly post-1960s/70s to the present day). If you wanted to talk about art that was contemporary *in its own time* (e.g., art from the 15th century that was considered 'contemporary' then), you would usually phrase it differently, perhaps 'art contemporaneous with the Renaissance' or 'art of its contemporary period.' Good job noticing that nuance!
I always thought 'contemporary' was just a fancy synonym for 'modern.' This article completely changed my understanding. Now I know how to use it for things like 'contemporary challenges' too. Thank you!
So, if 'contemporary' means 'of the current time,' what exactly is the best way to think about 'modern' then? Is it more about newness or a break from tradition, rather than just 'now'?
You've perfectly articulated the core distinction, Sarah! 'Modern' often implies a break from tradition, a focus on innovation, or a period following an older one (e.g., 'modern history' following 'ancient history'). It can also mean simply 'newly developed' or 'not old.' 'Contemporary,' on the other hand, specifically focuses on 'of the present moment' or 'existing at the same time.' So, while all contemporary things are modern, not all modern things are necessarily contemporary in the strict sense of being *currently happening* right now. Great thinking!
I struggle a bit with the pronunciation and stress pattern of 'contemporary.' Any tips or is it mostly just practice? The meaning is clearer now, thank you!
Are there other words similar to 'contemporary' that also describe 'of the same time' but perhaps in a less formal way? Or is 'contemporary' the main one for both current and historical 'same time'?
That's a very insightful question, Diego! For 'of the same time,' especially in a historical context, 'contemporary' is indeed the most precise and commonly used adjective. Other options might be 'coeval' or 'synchronous,' but these are much more academic and less frequently used. For describing 'current' things, you have 'current,' 'present-day,' 'up-to-date,' 'modern' (with its specific nuances), or 'recent,' depending on the exact shade of meaning and formality you need. 'Contemporary' truly bridges both the 'current' and 'same historical period' meanings most effectively.