a grave man

USAGE SUMMARY

'a grave man' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to describe a person who is serious and solemn in his manner or attitude. For example, "John was a grave man who spoke in a quiet, thoughtful tone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Yet the poet is guilty less of punning than wordplay, which Elizabethan taste considered more a sign of literary refinement than humor; hence "puns" in seemingly inappropriate places, like a dying Mercutio's "Ask for me tomorrow, and you shall find me a grave man".

The New York Times

It's sad, friends, but true, and this watch wants to remind you that soon you'll be a grave man or woman.

TechCrunch

Shakespeare's "Ask for me tomorrow and you shall find me a grave man" (Romeo and Juliet, Act III, Scene 1 line 97 98) plays cleverly on the double meaning of 'grave'grave

SEP

Even Mercutio, after he was stabbed, found time to squeeze out a groaner: "Ask for me tomorrow and you shall find me a grave man".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

But, yes, I did have fun with a youthful old man and a grave young man.

The New Yorker

Baxter said that a grave, resolute man was just the kind of man California needed, in time of war.

The New Yorker

The whine about Muslims makes the grave man sound like a complaining, selfish child whose toy is not as big as the one given to the boy next door.

Independent

At the circus he met a grave elderly man named Hare.

The New Yorker

In an interview, Toriyama said that Noel was intended to be a grave young man burdened by a heavy responsibility, but also, because of his upbringing on Gran Pulse, with a naivety about the world Serah and Lightning are used to, and certainly about Cocoon.

Wikipedia

The Jesuit priest John Gerard described Keyes as "a grave and sober man, and of great wit and sufficiency".

Wikipedia

During a pause at the intersection of Hafez Avenue and Karimkhan Boulevard, I turn around and ask one of my fellow passengers, a grave-looking man in his early 60s dressed in a black suit, for his thoughts on music and specifically if he listens to it when he is behind the wheel.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a grave man" to succinctly describe a person characterized by seriousness and a lack of levity, particularly in formal writing or when establishing character in narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "a grave man" when referring to someone who digs graves or is associated with cemeteries. The adjective 'grave' describes a demeanor, not an occupation or relationship to burial sites.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a grave man" functions as a descriptive phrase, where 'grave' modifies the noun 'man'. It provides information about the man's character or demeanor. According to Ludwig AI, the expression is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a grave man" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a man characterized by seriousness and solemnity. Though Ludwig AI indicates it's perfectly usable, its occurrence is relatively rare, primarily appearing in news and media contexts. Alternatives like "a solemn man" or "a serious man" might be more commonly encountered. When employing this phrase, ensure the context accurately reflects the intended meaning, avoiding confusion with terms related to burial. The phrase carries a neutral tone, fitting for descriptive writing across various media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a solemn man

Replaces "grave" with "solemn", emphasizing the man's serious and dignified nature.

a serious man

Substitutes "grave" with "serious", focusing on the man's earnest and thoughtful demeanor.

a somber man

Uses "somber" instead of "grave", highlighting the man's melancholy or subdued mood.

a staid man

Replaces "grave" with "staid", suggesting the man is sedate, respectable, and perhaps a bit dull.

a stern man

Substitutes "grave" with "stern", emphasizing the man's strict and unyielding nature.

a dour man

Uses "dour" instead of "grave", highlighting the man's sullen or gloomy disposition.

a solemn individual

Replaces "man" with "individual", offering a slightly more formal tone.

a serious fellow

Substitutes "man" with "fellow", giving a slightly more informal tone.

a man of gravity

Rephrases the concept, emphasizing the man's importance and seriousness.

a man with a grave demeanor

Expands the phrase to explicitly mention the man's "grave demeanor", clarifying the meaning.

FAQs

What does "a grave man" mean?

The phrase "a grave man" describes a man who is serious, solemn, and thoughtful. He typically lacks a lighthearted or frivolous attitude.

What can I say instead of "a grave man"?

You can use alternatives like "a solemn man", "a serious man", or "a somber man" depending on the context.

Is "a grave man" a common expression?

While grammatically correct, "a grave man" is not a very common expression. Alternatives such as "a serious man" or "a solemn individual" may be more frequently used.

How do I use "a grave man" in a sentence?

You can use "a grave man" to describe someone's personality: "He was "a grave man", seldom smiling and always considering his words carefully."