are reluctant to criticise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are reluctant to criticise" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing someone's hesitance or unwillingness to express criticism or disapproval. Example: "Despite the obvious flaws in the project, many team members are reluctant to criticise their leader's decisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Many Republican governors are reluctant to criticise Mr Bush.

The Economist

People working in finance, and even academics, are reluctant to criticise regulators for fear of reprisals.

The Economist

Those who are reluctant to criticise liberal democracy, Žižek suggests, should also keep quiet about fundamentalism.

The Guardian - Books

The locals are reluctant to criticise their government's handling of Gwadar, though.

The Guardian - Opinion

Most Pakistanis are reluctant to criticise Saudi Arabia, home to Islam's holiest shrines.

The Guardian

People are reluctant to criticise services they are using and there may be some false-positive reporting.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Some in the west may be reluctant to criticise African attitudes, lest they be accused of racism.

The Guardian

Pressure groups claim  western leaders have been reluctant to criticise Mr Nazarbayev over human rights because of  his country's huge reserves of natural resources.

Independent

However I am reluctant to criticise CAMHS for this because if they were given adequate funding from the government this wouldn't be a problem.

The Guardian

Dyson is reluctant to criticise the big banks, though he says insurance companies have a much better record than high-street banks at cooperating in fighting fraud.

The Guardian - Tech

Canberra coach Rae Dower was reluctant to criticise the referee directly, but she left no doubt that the goal should have been disallowed.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are reluctant to criticise", consider the reason for the reluctance. Specifying the cause enhances clarity and provides context.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the reason for reluctance. Ensure that the explanation aligns with the degree of hesitation conveyed by "are reluctant to criticise".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are reluctant to criticise" functions as a descriptive expression, indicating a disinclination or hesitance to express critical opinions. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are reluctant to criticise" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe a hesitance or unwillingness to express negative opinions. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in written English. It's frequently found in news and media sources, indicating a neutral to professional register. Consider reasons and context when employing this phrase for precision. Related phrases, such as "are hesitant to criticize" or "are unwilling to criticize", offer alternative ways to convey similar meanings. While it's a valid phrase, awareness of its usage patterns and potential alternatives can enhance writing quality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are hesitant to criticize

Replaces "reluctant" with "hesitant", maintaining a similar level of formality.

are unwilling to criticize

Substitutes "reluctant" with "unwilling", indicating a stronger disinclination.

are disinclined to criticize

Uses "disinclined" instead of "reluctant", offering a slightly more formal tone.

shy away from criticizing

Employs the phrasal verb "shy away from", conveying a sense of avoidance.

avoid criticizing

Uses "avoid" to highlight the act of deliberately steering clear of criticism.

refrain from criticizing

Indicates a conscious decision to withhold criticism.

hold back from criticizing

Expresses restraint in offering criticism.

are loath to criticize

Replaces "reluctant" with "loath", indicating stronger aversion.

are averse to criticizing

Uses "averse", conveying a feeling of strong dislike or opposition.

think twice before criticizing

Highlights the consideration given before expressing criticism.

FAQs

What does "are reluctant to criticise" mean?

It means being hesitant or unwilling to express negative opinions or point out flaws, often due to politeness, fear of repercussions, or other considerations.

What can I say instead of "are reluctant to criticise"?

You can use alternatives like "are hesitant to criticize", "are unwilling to criticize", or "shy away from criticizing depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "are reluctant to criticise"?

Use it when describing a situation where someone is consciously holding back from expressing criticism, often because of social dynamics or potential negative consequences.

Is "are reluctant to criticise" formal or informal?

The phrase "are reluctant to criticise" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, it's most commonly found in neutral to professional settings.