act of virtue

USAGE SUMMARY

"act of virtue" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a specific good action or behavior. For example: "The homeless woman's generosity towards her fellow street dwellers was an inspiring act of virtue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

As long as Palestinian children are taught that Israel is evil, then they will grow into adults who believe that killing Israelis is an act of virtue.

The New York Times

The moral licensing was so strong, in other words, that it more or less outweighed the original act of virtue.Moral licensing does not seem to occur when virtuous conduct is obligatory.

The Economist

"Glory is something which necessarily arises from any act of virtue just as light necessarily arises from the sun which produces it" [CN, pp.571 72].

SEP

He quoted one of his favorite early Christian leaders, John Chrysostom, who said, "No act of virtue can be great if it is not followed by advantage for others.

Huffington Post

It must be an act of virtue, but can only be so if the physician is doing it out of the deepest sense of duty.

BMC Medical Ethics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

When so much of our politics is about money and who wields it and with a Supreme Court that seems virtually certain to favor big business over workers even more passionately than it has been registering a modest protest by abstaining from this fake holiday isn't a meaningless act of virtue-signaling.

Vice

It must be earned daily through continuous acts of virtue.

The Guardian - Opinion

She now rewards generosity, bravery and other acts of virtue with songs of praise.

The New York Times

Thomas says that both natural law and positive law prescribe acts of virtue in general but they do not prescribe every specific virtuous act (except for those that promote the social good of justice and peace).

SEP

The world is not going to be saved by individual acts of virtue; it's going to be saved, if it is to be saved, by collective acts of social and political change.

Huffington Post

(People eager to suggest that flying is carbon-intensive should check themselves; the world is not going to be saved by individual acts of virtue, only by collective acts of change of a kind that would lead to China and the U.S.A. radically revising their energy policies).

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "act of virtue" to specifically highlight a single instance where someone demonstrates a commitment to moral excellence. This emphasizes the individual's character in that moment.

Common error

While grammatically sound, using "act of virtue" in casual conversations or informal writing might sound overly formal or pretentious. Opt for simpler phrases like "good deed" or "kind act" in such settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "act of virtue" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes a specific instance of morally good behavior. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "act of virtue" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe a specific instance of morally commendable behavior. While not exceedingly common, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage spans across contexts like news, science, and encyclopedias, indicating a neutral to formal register. When employing this phrase, aim to emphasize the ethical significance of the deed. In more casual settings, simpler alternatives like "good deed" may be preferable. Remember, an "act of virtue" specifically highlights a single display of moral excellence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moral action

Focuses on the moral aspect of the action, emphasizing its adherence to principles of right and wrong.

righteous deed

Emphasizes the action's alignment with religious or ethical standards of righteousness.

honorable act

Highlights the respectability and integrity associated with the action.

ethical behavior

Broadens the scope to encompass a pattern of conduct that adheres to ethical principles.

good deed

A simpler and more general term for a beneficial or kind action.

virtuous behavior

Shifts the focus to the consistent display of virtuous qualities.

principled action

Stresses that the action is based on strongly held principles.

altruistic act

Emphasizes the selfless nature of the action, done for the benefit of others.

benevolent act

Highlights the kind and charitable nature of the action.

moral gesture

Describes the action as a symbolic expression of moral values.

FAQs

How can I use "act of virtue" in a sentence?

You can use "act of virtue" to describe a specific instance of moral or ethical behavior. For example, "Helping the elderly cross the street was an "act of virtue"."

What are some alternatives to "act of virtue"?

Some alternatives to "act of virtue" include "moral action", "righteous deed", or "honorable act", depending on the specific context you wish to convey.

Is "act of virtue" formal or informal?

"Act of virtue" leans towards a more formal register. In informal contexts, phrases like "good deed" or "kind act" might be more appropriate.

What distinguishes an "act of virtue" from a simple "good deed"?

While both describe positive actions, "act of virtue" implies a stronger emphasis on moral excellence and ethical principles, while "good deed" is a more general term for any beneficial action.