a vile man

USAGE SUMMARY

"a vile man" is a perfectly correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe someone who is considered to be morally repugnant or despicable. For example, "The judge found Mark guilty of the heinous crime and called him a vile man."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"He's a vile man, wallowing in his own negativity.

The Guardian - Music

"Trump is a vile candidate, a vile president, a vile man," he said.

The Washington Post

Golding turned his back on Khan at the count, which he later claimed was not racist but because he considered Khan "a vile man".

The Guardian

Khomeini, himself a brilliant stylist, conceded on television in 1979 that Kasravi knew his history and was a good writer, but was a vile man who sought prophethood.

The Guardian - Books

Some contain references to culture or people: for instance, when Sunny says "Busheney" (an assumed portmanteau of Bush and Cheney), it is followed by the definition of "you are a vile man who has no regard for anyone else"; some words Sunny uses are foreign, such as "Shalom", "Sayonara" or "Arigato".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"He was a vile human being.

The Guardian

The second Times take came from Harry Wallop, who wrote a column titled "What vile man goes to a Presidents Club dinner?

Vice

There is no evidence here of a fascinated respect for this vile man, only of a fascinated curiosity.

The New York Times

Mr. Erdogan denounces "this disgraceful, dishonest, vile man who puts a headline and wants to sabotage this process". No one has challenged the tape's authenticity.

The New York Times

Conniving to give Eloise hell are a devious blackmailer, a vile hit man, and a treacherous old friend.

Vice

Suddenly, a fat hillbilly lady turned to me and spat, "You're a vile, horrible man!" I was flabbergasted, until I realized she thought I was singing to her.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a vile man", ensure the context clearly establishes the reasons for such a strong condemnation. Provide specific examples of actions or traits that justify the label to avoid ambiguity or misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "a vile man" as a casual insult or without providing supporting evidence. Overusing strong language diminishes its impact and can make your writing seem less credible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a vile man" functions primarily as a noun phrase, specifically an adjectival phrase modifying the noun "man". It serves to describe and characterize an individual, imbuing the noun with a strong negative connotation. As Ludwig indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and readily usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

20%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a vile man" is a grammatically sound and readily understandable phrase used to express strong condemnation and disgust towards an individual. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct. Its frequency is uncommon, and it is found primarily in news, media and wiki contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context warrants such a strong judgment and is supported by specific evidence. Alternative phrases, such as "a despicable person" or "a contemptible character", may be used to convey similar sentiments with varying degrees of intensity. Be cautious not to overuse this phrase without justification, as it can diminish its impact and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a despicable person

Focuses on the inherent moral worthlessness of the individual.

a contemptible character

Emphasizes the feeling of contempt or disdain the person evokes.

a wretched individual

Highlights the person's miserable or unfortunate state, often implying moral failing.

a morally bankrupt man

Specifically addresses the absence of moral principles.

a depraved soul

Implies a deep corruption of the person's inner being.

a heinous figure

Stresses the shocking and reprehensible nature of their actions or character.

an odious human being

Highlights the extreme unpleasantness and repulsiveness of the person.

a reprehensible individual

Focuses on the blameworthy and censurable nature of the person.

a scoundrel

A more colloquial and less intense term for a dishonest or unscrupulous person.

a blackguard

An outdated term for a man who behaves in a dishonorable or contemptible way.

FAQs

How can I describe someone similarly to "a vile man" without using the exact phrase?

You can use alternatives like "a despicable person", "a contemptible character", or "a morally bankrupt man" to convey a similar negative sentiment.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a vile man"?

Yes, "a vile man" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard English word order of article + adjective + noun.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the phrase "a vile man"?

The phrase "a vile man" is appropriate in contexts where you want to express strong disapproval or condemnation of someone's character or actions, typically in news, opinion pieces, or fictional narratives. However, use it judiciously and ensure it is justified by the situation.

What is the difference between "a vile man" and "a bad man"?

"A bad man" is a more general term indicating someone who does wrong or harmful things. "A vile man" implies a deeper level of moral repugnance and disgust. Vile suggests something offensive, foul, and deeply unpleasant, going beyond simple bad behavior.