a ounce of dignity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a ounce of dignity" is not correct; it should be "an ounce of dignity." You can use it when discussing the importance of maintaining self-respect or honor in a situation.
Example: "Even in the face of adversity, she managed to walk away with an ounce of dignity."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Apparently without a ounce of dignity, he proudly waved a Confederate flag totem amid a crowd of peace-loving Foresters.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Kiffin has been a hollow leader without an ounce of dignity.

Huffington Post

"If this judge has an ounce of dignity, he'll subject himself to a good ol' fashioned illegal courtroom tasing himself," he said.

Huffington Post

You could at least slice me and give me an ounce of dignity.

The New Yorker

He added: "If Watkins had an ounce of dignity he'd put his efforts into helping the police identify any other potential victims, not trying to reduce his sentence".

BBC

Lying in state in a simple pinewood box, Grandma, dead as she was, was the only thing in the church with an ounce of dignity about her.

Huffington Post

With still more details coming out in drips and drabs about who knew what when, what is clear is that if John Ensign has an ounce of shame or dignity left, he would resign.

Huffington Post

So all the Pitchforks in the world can try to strip me of every ounce of dignity, but I belong".

Huffington Post

It is a performance without an ounce of emotional slop.

The New Yorker

Add an ounce of ginger and a pinch of salt.

WikiHow

She mixes two ounces of Ketel One with half an ounce of cinnamon vodka, an ounce of Calvados and two ounces of apple cider or juice.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to possessing a small amount of dignity, ensure you use the correct article "an" instead of "a". Consider using alternative phrases like "a shred of dignity" or "a measure of dignity" for increased clarity.

Common error

A common mistake is using the indefinite article "a" before "ounce" when it should be "an" due to the vowel sound. Always remember to use "an" before words that begin with a vowel sound.

Linguistic Context

The phrase, when corrected to "an ounce of dignity", functions as a noun phrase acting as an object of a preposition or a complement. It usually quantifies the abstract noun "dignity", implying a small amount of it. Ludwig AI highlights its occasional usage in contexts where someone is trying to salvage some self-respect.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The query "a ounce of dignity" is grammatically incorrect; the correct form is "an ounce of dignity". This phrase refers to a small amount of self-respect or honor. Ludwig AI notes that it's used when someone maintains a modicum of dignity in a tough situation. While the phrase appears mostly in news and media, it's not very frequent. For clearer communication, alternatives like "a shred of dignity" or "a measure of dignity" could be considered.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a shred of dignity

Emphasizes a minimal amount of dignity, suitable when very little is present.

a measure of dignity

Indicates a certain quantity of dignity, without specifying the exact amount.

a degree of dignity

Similar to "a measure of dignity", suggesting some level of dignity is present.

some semblance of dignity

Suggests an outward appearance or imitation of dignity, possibly lacking substance.

a sense of dignity

Focuses on the internal feeling or awareness of one's own dignity.

a bit of dignity

Indicates a small, indefinite amount of dignity.

an air of dignity

Describes an outward display or impression of dignity.

a show of dignity

Highlights a deliberate act or performance intended to demonstrate dignity.

a posture of dignity

Implies an assumed or maintained stance of dignity, perhaps masking other feelings.

a facade of dignity

Suggests a deceptive or superficial appearance of dignity, concealing a lack thereof.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "a ounce of dignity"?

The correct phrasing is "an ounce of dignity". The indefinite article "an" is used before words that begin with a vowel sound.

What does "an ounce of dignity" mean?

The expression "an ounce of dignity" refers to a small amount of self-respect, honor, or composure displayed in a particular situation.

What can I say instead of "an ounce of dignity"?

You can use alternatives like "a shred of dignity", "a measure of dignity", or "a bit of dignity" depending on the context.

Is "an ounce of dignity" a common expression?

While understandable, the expression isn't exceptionally common. Alternative phrases might convey the meaning more effectively for modern audiences.