a commendable move

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a commendable move" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express approval or praise for a decision or action taken by someone. Example: "The company's decision to implement a four-day workweek is a commendable move towards improving employee well-being."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

This week, Joel Hefley of Colorado, the ethics committee chairman, joined the panel's ranking Democrat, Alan Mollohan of West Virginia, in a commendable move to limit the damage.

The New York Times

If Blears had announced an initiative seeking to strengthen the voice of women in society to create a greater equality between men and women, that would be a commendable move.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"It's clear that he has separated himself from the pack on this issue, and it's a brave and commendable move," he said.

The New York Times

After a relatively tame opening, where Clegg was praised for the "commendable" move of coming on the show by a caller, he was confronted with a former Lib Dem county councillor who told Clegg he had "torn up" his membership and asked how the deputy prime minster could reconcile the Lib Dem values with "this government's attacks on the poorest".

The Guardian

Long held back not just by a pacifist-sounding constitution, but also by a lack of imagination, Japan under Mr Koizumi made commendable moves towards a more muscular and constructive diplomacy that better matched its economic clout.

The Economist

The Home for Good plan is a commendable first step toward moving single homeless individuals off the streets.

The New York Times

The production is a commendable attempt to shine a light into an obscure byway of the classical canon, but memorably moving or memorably funny it is not.

The New York Times

The move reflected Mr. Clinton's well-honed instincts for damage control, but was at least a commendable break from the recent pattern of Clinton outrages.

The New York Times

When he moved behind the bench, he said that the team had plenty of skill and a commendable work ethic.

The New York Times

But having done that to a commendable extent, as he did in "The Unforgiven," he expects this will now give him the credibility and license, finally, to move forward again with Wagnerism.

Huffington Post

A commendable statement, indeed.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a commendable move" to positively highlight a specific action or decision, especially in contexts where you want to express approval or admiration. For example, "The government's investment in renewable energy is "a commendable move" towards a sustainable future."

Common error

Avoid using "a commendable move" for minor or insignificant actions. Reserve it for situations where the action genuinely deserves praise. Overusing it can dilute its impact and make your writing sound insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a commendable move" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It expresses approval or praise for a particular action or decision. Ludwig provides examples showing its usage in various contexts where positive evaluation is intended.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a commendable move" is a phrase used to express approval or praise for a specific action or decision. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's best reserved for situations where genuine praise is warranted to avoid diluting its impact. Alternative phrases, such as "an admirable decision" or "a praiseworthy action", can be used to add nuance or variety. The phrase functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, serving to positively evaluate a particular action. Therefore, use it when you want to explicitly signal your approval of something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a praiseworthy action

Replaces "move" with "action" and "commendable" with "praiseworthy", focusing more on the action itself.

an admirable decision

Substitutes "move" with "decision" and "commendable" with "admirable", highlighting the thoughtful nature of the action.

a laudable step

Replaces "move" with "step" and "commendable" with "laudable", suggesting progress and worthiness of praise.

a creditable effort

Changes "move" to "effort" and "commendable" to "creditable", emphasizing the positive qualities of the attempt.

a worthy undertaking

Replaces "move" with "undertaking" and "commendable" with "worthy", focusing on the value and importance of the action.

a deserving initiative

Substitutes "move" with "initiative" and "commendable" with "deserving", highlighting the justification for the action.

a meritorious deed

Replaces "move" with "deed" and "commendable" with "meritorious", emphasizing the praiseworthy nature of the action.

a positive step

Uses a more general term "positive" instead of "commendable", focusing on the beneficial outcome.

a good decision

Simplifies the phrase using "good" instead of "commendable", offering a less formal alternative.

an excellent choice

Focuses on the selection aspect, suggesting the option picked was particularly beneficial or correct.

FAQs

How can I use "a commendable move" in a sentence?

Use "a commendable move" to describe an action or decision that deserves praise or approval. For instance, "The company's decision to offer flexible working hours is "a commendable move" towards improving employee satisfaction".

What are some alternatives to saying "a commendable move"?

Alternatives include "a praiseworthy action", "an admirable decision", or "a laudable step". The best choice depends on the specific context and the aspect you want to emphasize.

Is it always appropriate to use "a commendable move"?

While grammatically correct, "a commendable move" is most suitable when genuinely praising a decision or action. Avoid using it for trivial or routine actions, as it might sound insincere or exaggerated.

What's the difference between "a commendable move" and "a good move"?

"A good move" is a more general term indicating that an action is beneficial or advantageous. "A commendable move", on the other hand, specifically implies that the action is worthy of praise and admiration, suggesting a higher degree of approval. You may also find these alternatives appropriate depending on the context: "a positive step", "an excellent choice", or "a worthy undertaking".