a public interest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a public interest" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to something that is of interest or important to the general public or society as a whole. Example: It is in a public interest to address the issue of climate change and its potential impact on future generations.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Are you suggesting a public interest justification for publicizing where a billionaire lives?

TechCrunch

"Oil is a public interest".

The New York Times

All this on a public interest story.

The Guardian

We already have a public interest defence.

The Guardian - Opinion

What is a public interest advocate?

The Guardian

And there wasn't a scintilla of a public interest justification.

The Guardian

There is no requirement for a public interest test.

The Guardian

Possible changes include the insertion of a public interest test.

The Guardian

Trichardt described Rigoni as a public interest campaigner.

The Guardian

It's not a public interest argument, that's for sure.

The Guardian

They created a public interest furor where there was none".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When arguing for a course of action, explicitly state how it serves "a public interest" to strengthen your position.

Common error

Avoid using "a public interest" as a generic justification. Always provide specific details on how the action or information benefits the public to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a public interest" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a preposition or a subject complement. As Ludwig AI explains, it refers to matters of importance to the general population and it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

25%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a public interest" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote something beneficial or of concern to the general public. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage. It's commonly found in news, academic writing, and scientific discourse. When using this phrase, ensure that you provide specific details about how the matter benefits the public to maintain clarity and credibility. Alternatives like "the public good" and "societal benefit" can be used depending on the specific context. Remember to justify your claims of "a public interest" with concrete evidence to strengthen your arguments and avoid vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

interest of the public

Rephrases to emphasize that it is the public who possesses the interest.

the public good

Focuses on the benefit to the community as a whole, rather than individual interests.

common good

Indicates a shared advantage or benefit for all members of society.

public benefit

Directly refers to the advantages or positive outcomes for the public.

societal benefit

Emphasizes the advantages for society in general.

welfare of society

Emphasizes the overall well-being and prosperity of the societal structure.

community welfare

Highlights the well-being and prosperity of the community.

collective well-being

Highlights the state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy for a group.

general welfare

Stresses the overall health, happiness, and prosperity of a population.

national interest

Specifies that the interest is tied to a nation's concerns and goals.

FAQs

How to use "a public interest" in a sentence?

You can use "a public interest" to describe actions or information that benefit society. For example, "It is in "a public interest" to ensure clean air and water".

What is the difference between "a public interest" and "the public good"?

"A public interest" refers to a specific concern or advantage for the community, while "the public good" is a broader concept encompassing the overall welfare of society. They are very similar and in many contexts interchangeable, but one focuses more on a specific topic while the other on general welfare.

When is it appropriate to invoke "a public interest"?

It is appropriate to invoke "a public interest" when justifying actions that may have negative consequences for some individuals, but ultimately benefit the majority. For example when arguing in favor of "eminent domain".

What can I say instead of "a public interest"?

You can use alternatives like "the public good", "societal benefit", or "community welfare" depending on the specific context.