a redeeming quality

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a redeeming quality" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a positive aspect or trait that makes something or someone more acceptable or admirable despite other flaws. Example: "Despite his arrogance, his kindness towards animals is a redeeming quality that makes him more likable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Film

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"He's not a finished product, but he's got a redeeming quality, and for him he's got good size.

The New York Times - Sports

Cruel, capricious and incapable of fidelity, with the exception of Alice's youthful idealism, there's barely a redeeming quality between them.

The Guardian - Film

He preaches to his athletes that everybody has a redeeming quality; as teammates, their job is to find the positive in one another and let go of the rest.

The New York Times - Sports

Corbyn might be abrasive and divisive, but he has never been sighted with such a redeeming quality as charisma.

Huffington Post

Making impactful mistakes is not a redeeming quality of any company, but it is not the same as making false claims.

Huffington Post

It's hard to find a redeeming quality in the competitive salesmen -- slimy, yet seductive, Ricky Roma, a man who has lied so well for so long that he believes in himself ferociously; equally slimy, but hardly seductive, Dave Moss, who wants to get even with the bosses; alternately pathetic and pushy Shelly Levene, determined to reverse his losing streak.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Here, Gebbe musters only outrage, as her antagonists are without nuance, mercy or any redeeming quality.

Los Angeles Times

In one of the more apoplectic slams, Rex Reed, writing in The New York Observer, called it "a film without a single redeeming quality, which may have to find its audience in hell". More than one critic condemned the movie as an incitement to violence; several likened it to fascist propaganda.

The New York Times

How Peter Bradshaw and Philip French can find a single redeeming quality in this dreadful two-hour river of bathetic, emotionless, drama-free drivel baffles me.

The Guardian

Diane Cardwell raised the question of whether shocking graphic images of violence in films and on cable TV have a socially redeeming quality, in that they force us to acknowledge and address problems we might otherwise ignore (Culture Zone, Oct. 11).

The New York Times - Magazine

Giving your villain a few redeeming qualities and a believable motivation doesn´t automatically mean he'll turn good.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a redeeming quality" when you want to highlight a positive aspect that makes someone or something more acceptable despite its flaws. Be specific about what this quality is to provide a clear and balanced view.

Common error

Avoid using "a redeeming quality" without clearly identifying what that quality is. Vague references can weaken your argument and leave the reader unclear about the actual positive aspect you're trying to emphasize.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a redeeming quality" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies a specific attribute that compensates for flaws or negative aspects. This is supported by Ludwig AI, confirming its common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

10%

Film

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a redeeming quality" is a frequently used phrase that highlights a positive trait counterbalancing flaws. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and appears across varied contexts, particularly in News & Media. While alternatives like ""a saving grace"" or ""a positive aspect"" offer semantic variations, the phrase's primary function remains consistent: to provide a balanced perspective. To ensure clarity in writing, it's crucial to specify exactly what this "redeeming quality" is, thus enhancing the phrase's impact and relevance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a redeeming feature

Synonymous substitution of 'quality' with 'feature'.

a saving grace

Emphasizes the aspect of rescue or salvation from complete negativity.

a compensating virtue

Replaces 'quality' with 'virtue' and uses 'compensating' to highlight the balancing aspect.

a silver lining

Emphasizes the hopeful or positive side of an otherwise negative situation.

a positive aspect

Offers a more general and neutral term for a beneficial feature.

a mitigating factor

Highlights the role of the quality in lessening the impact of negative aspects.

a valuable attribute

Focuses on the worth and importance of the positive characteristic.

an offsetting advantage

Indicates a benefit that counterbalances disadvantages.

a good point

Provides a simpler, more direct way to acknowledge a positive feature.

a counterbalancing trait

Highlights the quality's role in creating equilibrium against negative characteristics.

FAQs

How can I use "a redeeming quality" in a sentence?

Use "a redeeming quality" to point out a positive attribute that compensates for flaws. For example: "Despite his arrogance, his kindness towards animals is "a redeeming quality"."

What's a good alternative to "a redeeming quality"?

Alternatives include "a saving grace", "a positive aspect", or "a valuable attribute", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to focus on strengths or "a redeeming quality"?

Focusing on strengths is generally more positive, while "a redeeming quality" acknowledges flaws alongside a positive aspect. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize overall positivity or a balanced view.

How does "a redeeming quality" differ from "a positive trait"?

"A positive trait" simply describes a good characteristic. "A redeeming quality" implies that this characteristic compensates for other negative aspects, adding a layer of complexity.