a cordial gesture

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a cordial gesture" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a friendly or warm action intended to show goodwill or kindness. Example: "Sending a thank-you note after receiving a gift is a cordial gesture that shows appreciation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

At the end of the meal, the house offered a little liqueur, a cordial gesture in every sense.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Once the three-decade-old ice is broken with some cordial gestures, the two leaders can pass to Zarif and U.S. Secretary of State John F. Kerry the job of getting relations on a better track, Meshkati said.

Los Angeles Times

I expected a cordial discussion.

The New York Times - Magazine

It was a cordial discussion".

The New York Times - Sports

It has not been a cordial contest.

The New York Times

It can be a cordial request.

The Guardian

He describes a waiter as "a cordial colored gentleman".

The New York Times - Books

The Under Secretary yielded and ordered a cordial.

The New Yorker

I have a cordial relationship with my neighbor.

The New York Times

They all said he was a cordial and approachable neighbor.

The New York Times

David Axelrod, Mr. Obama's senior adviser, called it "a cordial discussion".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a cordial gesture" when you want to emphasize the friendliness and warmth behind an action, such as sending a thank-you note or offering assistance.

Common error

Avoid using "a cordial gesture" in highly informal settings. While it expresses warmth, the phrase leans towards formality and might sound out of place in very casual conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a cordial gesture" functions as a noun phrase that describes a specific type of action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is both correct and usable. It specifies an action characterized by friendliness and warmth, intending to convey goodwill.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a cordial gesture" is a noun phrase that accurately describes an action characterized by warmth and friendliness. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is deemed correct and usable in written English. Its purpose is to frame an action as particularly gracious and well-intentioned. While found primarily in news media, its neutral register makes it generally applicable, though perhaps less common in highly informal settings. Considering this, when aiming to convey warmth and goodwill, "a cordial gesture" serves as an effective option.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a friendly act

Replaces 'cordial' with 'friendly' and 'gesture' with 'act', emphasizing the amicable nature of the action.

a warmhearted deed

Substitutes 'cordial' with 'warmhearted' and 'gesture' with 'deed', highlighting the emotional generosity of the action.

a gracious act

Replaces 'cordial' with 'gracious', focusing on the politeness and elegance of the action.

a kindhearted action

Replaces 'cordial' with 'kindhearted' and 'gesture' with 'action', emphasizing the benevolence behind the action.

a benevolent move

Substitutes 'cordial' with 'benevolent' and 'gesture' with 'move', underscoring the positive and helpful nature of the action.

a goodwill offering

Replaces the entire phrase with a compound noun signifying something given to promote friendly relations.

a considerate approach

Replaces 'cordial' with 'considerate' and 'gesture' with 'approach', focusing on the thoughtfulness and sensitivity behind the action.

a sympathetic overture

Substitutes 'cordial' with 'sympathetic' and 'gesture' with 'overture', emphasizing the understanding and compassion displayed.

a generous offering

Replaces 'cordial' with 'generous' and 'gesture' with 'offering', focusing on the liberal and unselfish aspect of the act.

an amicable step

Substitutes 'cordial' with 'amicable' and 'gesture' with 'step', emphasizing the friendly and peaceful intent of the action.

FAQs

How can I use "a cordial gesture" in a sentence?

You can use "a cordial gesture" to describe an action that expresses goodwill or friendliness. For example: "Offering a seat to an elderly person on the bus is "a cordial gesture"".

What can I say instead of "a cordial gesture"?

You can use alternatives like "a friendly act", "a warm gesture", or "a gracious act" depending on the context.

Is "cordial gesture" formal or informal?

"Cordial gesture" leans towards the formal side. While appropriate in many contexts, it might sound slightly stiff in very casual settings.

What distinguishes "a cordial gesture" from "a kind gesture"?

"A cordial gesture" emphasizes warmth and friendliness, while "a kind gesture" emphasizes benevolence and goodwill. "A cordial gesture" focuses on making someone feel comfortable, while a kind gesture focuses on doing something helpful.