appeal to pride

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appeal to pride" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing strategies that leverage someone's sense of pride to persuade or motivate them. Example: "The campaign was designed to appeal to pride, encouraging citizens to take pride in their community and contribute to its improvement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Detectives first appeal to pride.

The New York Times

Someone who can appeal to pride without playing on fear.

The Guardian

His appeal to pride in Texas has resonated with conservative voters, political scientists say.

The New York Times

A number of the same studies, as well as others, indicate that the use of rational explanations for behavior the parent desires, affection, praise, the child's concern for others and appeal to pride all tend to produce children with high levels of internal control and developed moral standards.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Mr. Ferrer's advisers say that he is simply conducting campaigns the way they have been conducted for years, and taking advantage of his own ethnic heritage much the same way, for example, Mr. Giuliani appealed to pride among Italian-Americans or Edward I. Koch campaigned among Jews.

The New York Times

"The only thing President Bush can say is to appeal to their pride," Mr. Gittler continued.

The New York Times

But critics wonder whether his appeal to national pride might have elements of danger.

The New York Times

No pay incentives were involved, just an appeal to professional pride — and, later, public reporting of the results.

The New York Times

This two-pronged appeal to patriotic pride was so exquisitely subtle that it almost qualified as subliminal messaging.

Independent

The hold of the Baath which means renaissance — on its de votees stems largely from its appeal to Arab pride.

The New York Times

"It has an appeal to the pride of people who live and work in the state of California".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "appeal to pride", ensure your strategy genuinely acknowledges and respects the values or accomplishments being highlighted, as insincere appeals can backfire.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating accomplishments or falsely attributing positive qualities when using "appeal to pride". This can damage credibility and undermine your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appeal to pride" functions as a rhetorical device or persuasive strategy. It's employed to motivate or influence an individual or group by invoking their sense of self-respect and accomplishment. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "appeal to pride" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that functions as a rhetorical device to persuade by invoking a sense of self-worth. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. Although relatively rare in occurrence, it appears across diverse sources, but is more often found in news and media contexts. To effectively employ this strategy, sincerity and a genuine understanding of the target's values are crucial. Alternatives such as "invoke a sense of pride" or "tap into someone's pride" can be used to diversify your language while maintaining a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

invoke a sense of pride

This alternative directly substitutes "appeal" with "invoke" while maintaining the focus on pride.

tap into someone's pride

This alternative uses the metaphor "tap into", suggesting accessing an existing feeling of pride.

leverage a feeling of self-worth

This option replaces "pride" with "self-worth", broadening the scope to include general positive self-perception.

play on someone's sense of honor

This alternative shifts the focus from pride to honor, emphasizing moral principles.

stimulate a desire for recognition

This option focuses on the desire for external validation rather than internal pride.

encourage a feeling of accomplishment

This alternative centers on the positive emotion resulting from achievement.

inspire a commitment to excellence

This option redirects the focus to striving for high standards.

foster a spirit of patriotism

This alternative narrows the scope to national pride and devotion.

cultivate a belief in one's capabilities

This option emphasizes the development of self-confidence and competence.

build on their achievements

This alternative concentrates on acknowledging and furthering past successes.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "appeal to pride" in a persuasive message?

To effectively use "appeal to pride", identify the specific values or accomplishments your audience takes pride in, and then connect your message to those values in a sincere and respectful manner.

What are some situations where it's best to avoid an "appeal to pride"?

Avoid using an "appeal to pride" when addressing individuals or groups who are experiencing hardship or failure, as it may come across as insensitive or condescending.

What's the difference between "appeal to pride" and "flattery"?

"Appeal to pride" involves acknowledging genuine accomplishments or values, while "flattery" often involves insincere or excessive praise for the purpose of manipulation.

What are some alternative strategies to "appeal to pride" if it seems inappropriate?

If an "appeal to pride" seems inappropriate, consider using strategies that focus on shared values, mutual benefit, or "common ground" instead.