act with civility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "act with civility" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when encouraging respectful and polite behavior in interactions or discussions. Example: "In our debates, it's important to act with civility, even when we disagree."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

To live among one another requires us to act with civility, but your neighbor can't respond unless you let him know he's causing a problem.

The New York Times - Magazine

Last year, incoming Harvard freshmen were pressured by campus officials to sign an oath promising to act with "civility" and "inclusiveness" and affirming that "kindness holds a place on par with intellectual attainment".

The New York Times

When it comes to online speech, the U.S. has chosen to urge are citizens to act with civility and recognize the power their speech has online.

TechCrunch

The need to act with civility applies to classrooms, sidewalks, and -- yes -- student unions.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

These days, it seems more important than ever for books to show young people how to act with thoughtfulness, civility and kindness — growing up as they are amid powerful adults who consistently fail to do so.

The New York Times - Books

"I believe the American people desperately want us to conduct ourselves, where possible, in a bipartisan manner -- with civility, with give and take -- and act as if those terms have real meaning and are not just empty rhetoric," he said.

The New York Times

The problem with civility is the presumption that we were ever civil in the first place.

The New Yorker

If you act in a low-key manner and show interest in the local culture, you will be treated with civility and hospitality.

The New York Times - Travel

COSTA MESA — The Newport-Mesa Unified School District superintendent should act with dignity, treat everyone with respect and civility and serve as a model of the value of lifelong learning, according to the district's Superintendent Governance Standards.

Los Angeles Times

Exchanges dripped with civility.

The New York Times

We treat others with civility and respect.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When participating in debates or discussions, remember to "act with civility", even when you strongly disagree with opposing viewpoints. This promotes a more productive and respectful exchange of ideas.

Common error

Don't assume that to "act with civility" means to agree with someone's viewpoint. Civility is about the manner of interaction, not the content of the discussion. You can respectfully disagree while still maintaining a civil tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "act with civility" functions as an imperative, urging individuals to conduct themselves in a polite and respectful manner. It promotes constructive communication and positive social interactions. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "act with civility" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that encourages polite and respectful behavior. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides alternative expressions like "behave civilly" or "act respectfully". The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media contexts. Remember, civility focuses on the manner of interaction, not necessarily agreement on viewpoints. Promoting civility helps to foster a better environment where differences can be discussed respectfully, leading to productive outcomes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

behave civilly

Focuses on the manner of behavior, emphasizing politeness.

conduct oneself with courtesy

Highlights the act of conducting oneself in a polite and respectful way.

act respectfully

Emphasizes showing respect through one's actions.

show consideration

Focuses on being thoughtful and considerate of others.

treat with respect

Highlights the manner of treating others with dignity.

demonstrate politeness

Emphasizes showing politeness in one's behavior.

exercise decorum

Focuses on maintaining proper and dignified behavior.

behave with decorum

Implies acting in a way that is socially acceptable and respectful.

maintain civility

Stresses the importance of keeping a polite and respectful demeanor.

cultivate respectful interactions

Suggests fostering an environment of respectful communication.

FAQs

How can I use "act with civility" in a sentence?

You can use "act with civility" to encourage respectful and polite behavior in interactions or discussions. For example: "In our debates, it's important to act with civility, even when we disagree."

What does it mean to "act with civility"?

To "act with civility" means to behave in a polite, respectful, and considerate manner, especially in interactions with others, even when disagreements arise.

What are some alternatives to saying "act with civility"?

You can use alternatives like "behave civilly", "act respectfully", or "conduct oneself with courtesy" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to "act with civility"?

While it's generally beneficial, "acting with civility" might not always be appropriate in situations demanding immediate action or self-defense. However, in most social and professional settings, civility promotes positive interactions.