an upright man

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an upright man" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a person who is morally good, honest, and principled. Example: "In the community, he was known as an upright man, always helping those in need and standing up for what was right."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Dad Lewis is what once was called an upright man, and as he expires we see the consequences of his uprightness.

The New York Times - Books

They include a dour Victorian woman, and an upright man from the same era.

The New York Times

Eddie, meanwhile, has tortures of his own, the moral agonies of an upright man once compromised by the criminal activities of his crooked brother-in-law.

The New York Times - Books

Their wedding photograph shows a gorgeous, dimpled bride smiling in a white dress and veil, and an upright man in a dark suit, with a serious expression.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The problem is, Shane, that you've seen that textbook graphic too many times of an ape progressing stage by stage into an upright man.

The Guardian - Opinion

We have also good companions in the house with us, well advanced in their studies and of excellent habit – an advantage which we well appreciate, for as the Psalmist says, 'With an upright man thou wilt show thyself upright'.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

He compared Joseph, with his luxuriant beard and tippler's cheeks, to Socrates and depicted him as an exemplary upright man of the people, sitting face forward, at attention, as if about to speak.

The New York Times - Arts

To me Shakespeare's Prospero seems a morally upright man who calls his enemies to account but has long been disposed to forgive them.

The New York Times - Arts

A morally upright man, he is wrongly framed for the rape and murder of a young girl and is subsequently killed by Kancha.

Wikipedia

1 Pertinax was an excellent and upright man, but he ruled only a very short time, and was then put out of the way by the soldiers.

University of Chicago

The same could not be said of Romanos, whose enemies "martyred a courageous and upright man", and as a result "the Empire ... would never recover".

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone as "an upright man", ensure that the context provides specific examples of their honesty, integrity, and moral behavior to reinforce the description. For example, mention instances where they stood up for what's right or made difficult ethical choices.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that someone is "an upright man" without providing concrete examples of their virtuous behavior. Without supporting evidence, the phrase can sound generic and lack impact. Provide specific anecdotes to illustrate their integrity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an upright man" functions as a noun phrase, with "upright" acting as an adjective modifying the noun "man". It's used to describe a person's character, indicating that they possess strong moral principles and integrity. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is usable and correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an upright man" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe someone with strong moral principles and integrity. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's important to provide specific examples of their virtuous behavior to reinforce this description. The phrase appears frequently in News & Media and Academic contexts, with a neutral register. While alternatives such as ""a morally sound man"" or ""a man of integrity"" can be used, the key is to showcase concrete actions that support the characterization.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a morally sound man

Emphasizes the moral correctness of the man.

a man of integrity

Focuses on the man's honesty and strong moral principles.

an honorable man

Highlights the man's adherence to ethical conduct and high standards.

a virtuous man

Stresses the man's moral excellence and righteousness.

a righteous man

Implies that the man adheres to divine or moral law.

a man of principle

Focuses on the man's commitment to his deeply held beliefs and values.

a man of high character

Emphasizes the man's overall moral and ethical strength.

a decent man

Highlights the man's respectability and conformity to social norms.

an ethical man

Emphasizes the man's adherence to moral principles and professional standards.

a man of honor

Stresses the man's adherence to a code of conduct and trustworthiness.

FAQs

What does it mean to describe someone as "an upright man"?

Describing someone as "an upright man" means they are considered morally good, honest, and principled. It implies a strong sense of integrity and adherence to ethical standards.

What are some alternative phrases I can use instead of "an upright man"?

You can use alternatives like "a morally sound man", "a man of integrity", or "an honorable man", depending on the specific aspect of their character you want to emphasize.

Is it better to say "an upright man" or "a virtuous man"?

Both "an upright man" and "a virtuous man" are valid. "Upright" emphasizes honesty and moral standing, while "virtuous" highlights moral excellence. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How can I use the phrase "an upright man" in a sentence?

You can use "an upright man" to describe someone's character, for example: "He was known in the community as an upright man, always helping those in need."