a show of goodwill

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a show of goodwill" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action or gesture intended to demonstrate kindness, generosity, or a desire to maintain good relations. Example: "To resolve the dispute amicably, the company made a show of goodwill by offering a discount to the affected customers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

He said it was a "show of goodwill".

The Economist

Why did I put it off?" I do feel bad for not going all in with the digital declutter, so as a show of goodwill towards minimalism, I mark all my emails as read.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A Shia splinter group that broke away from Wifaq has called for an active boycott.Mr Salman knows he is gambling prestige in choosing to play by the government's rules, in the belief that a show of goodwill may be the best way to prompt reforms.

The Economist

Like a car salesman tossing in free floor mats to close a deal, automakers will need to come up with some extra spiffs as a show of goodwill.

Forbes

And as a show of goodwill (in case anyone was wary of jumping back in with the company after last year's events), it will be tossing the full package in as a free bonus for those who pre-order the newly announced Galaxy S8 and S8+, starting tomorrow, along with some free VR content.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Douri maintained on Sunday that Hultz was released as a show of Sadrist goodwill to Americans for withdrawing from Iraq at the end of last year as promised.

The Guardian

Their enforcement of such hypothetical rules needn't be so iron-fisted, but just knowing that they are checking for accessibility compliance would, in theory, be a great show of goodwill to those in the accessibility community.

TechCrunch

After the West responds for example, the country whose citizens or employees were seized attempts to reverse the charges the regime backtracks and then demands that its "gesture" is returned with a similar show of goodwill.

Forbes

Asked what the U.S. might have done had Haqqani thus betrayed his own tribal code of honor and turn on a guest who sought sanctuary, the Bush official replied, "we might have withdrawn a brigade as our show of goodwill".

Huffington Post

He may yet achieve swift redemption in the eyes of the administration in Washington if his powerful friend reciprocates his show of goodwill by releasing Kenneth Bae, an American who has been detained in North Korea for 14 months.

The Guardian

Commenting on Beijing's "show of goodwill" with the release of Mr Hu, the South China Morning Post's commentator Alex Lo says Beijing's "inhumane practices are not worthy of an emerging great power" and a sober warning to patriotic returnees.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a show of goodwill", ensure the context clearly demonstrates the positive intent behind the action. Providing specific examples of the actions taken enhances the message.

Common error

Avoid using "a show of goodwill" when the action is perceived as insincere or manipulative. Ensure the gesture is genuinely benevolent to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a show of goodwill" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It describes an action or gesture intended to demonstrate positive intentions or benevolence. Ludwig indicates that it is grammatically sound and can be used in various contexts, as seen in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a show of goodwill" is a noun phrase used to describe an action intended to demonstrate positive intentions, benevolence, or a desire for reconciliation. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English, although its frequency is relatively low. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly demonstrates the sincerity of the gesture to maintain credibility. Alternatives such as "an act of benevolence" or "a gesture of conciliation" can offer different nuances depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an expression of goodwill

Directly states the intent to show positive feelings or intentions, very similar but uses expression instead of show.

a gesture of conciliation

Focuses on actions taken to reconcile or appease, highlighting the intent to mend relationships.

an act of benevolence

Emphasizes the charitable and kind nature of the action, highlighting generosity.

a display of generosity

Highlights the giving nature of the action, emphasizing the abundance of positive intent.

a token of friendship

Emphasizes the friendly and amicable nature of the action, highlighting the relationship aspect.

a peace offering

Suggests an attempt to restore peace or harmony, often after a conflict or disagreement.

a good faith effort

Highlights the sincerity and honesty behind the action, emphasizing genuine intent.

an olive branch

Symbolizes a peaceful gesture aimed at ending a dispute or conflict.

a sign of amity

Indicates friendliness and harmonious relationships between parties.

a conciliatory move

Implies an action intended to overcome distrust or animosity.

FAQs

How can I use "a show of goodwill" in a sentence?

Use "a show of goodwill" to describe actions or gestures intended to demonstrate kindness, generosity, or a desire to maintain good relations. For example: "The company offered a discount as "a show of goodwill" to its customers".

What are some alternatives to "a show of goodwill"?

You can use alternatives like "a gesture of conciliation", "an act of benevolence", or "an expression of goodwill" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "a show of goodwill"?

It's appropriate when describing a specific action or gesture meant to demonstrate positive intent, kindness, or a desire for reconciliation. Ensure that the context supports the sincerity of the gesture.

What is the difference between "a show of goodwill" and "a gesture of goodwill"?

While both phrases are similar, "a show of goodwill" emphasizes the demonstration or display of positive intent, whereas "a gesture of goodwill" focuses on the action itself as an expression of that intent. The difference is subtle but can affect the nuance of the sentence.