The phrase "act with propriety" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where one is expected to behave in a socially acceptable or appropriate manner.
Example: "During the formal dinner, it is important to act with propriety to maintain a respectful atmosphere."
Alternatives: "behave appropriately" or "conduct oneself properly."
For that matter, so can the police if they fail to act with propriety.
Lobbying does not operate in a vacuum – it requires the lobbyists and the lobbied to act with propriety, good faith and common sense".
I should then have the satisfaction of leaving the exercise of the Royal authority to the personal authority of that young lady, heiress presumptive to the Crown, and not in the hands of a person now near me, who is surrounded by evil advisers and is herself incompetent to act with propriety in the situation in which she would be placed".
Two committees, the scrutiny committee and the audit committee, consist entirely of backbenchers, and have the job of ensuring that the executive acts with propriety.
A Unite spokesman insisted its representative had "acted with propriety at all times" in dealing with Harvey and that allegations were "deliberately misleading and malicious, intended for no other reason than to bring this union into disrepute".
And she said she had acted "with propriety" after it was revealed she had discussed how an advert for a job in her office could be changed to help her brother get an interview for the post.
Ms Reid acted throughout with propriety and professionalism.
Discussing the money the Labour Party accepted from the newspaper/pornography tycoon Richard Desmond, Reid was reported to have said: "We have acted with complete propriety.
I believe that MoD records will show clearly that I acted with scrupulous propriety both by reporting any former relevant banking connection with the Makhzoumis to officials and by thereafter not participating directly in negotiations with the Makhzoumis on this matter (which was very small in the scale of defence exports).
And he added that heterosexual teachers should act with the same propriety.
Columbia University expects that its students will act with honesty and propriety at all times and will respect the rights of others.
