are right to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are right to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express agreement or justification for someone's actions or beliefs. Example: "You are right to question the validity of the data presented in the report."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They are right to.

The Economist

"They are right to boo.

Independent

They are right to worry.

The New York Times

And they are right to.

The New York Times

And they are right to be angry".

The Guardian

They are right to be sceptical.

The Economist

Regulators are right to fret about that.

The Economist

Maybe they are right to be timid.

The Guardian - Opinion

They are right to be wary.

The New York Times

However, Europeans are right to protest.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

They were right to.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are right to" to express agreement with a decision, action, or feeling, especially when providing a supporting reason. For example, "They are right to be concerned about the lack of transparency."

Common error

Avoid using "right" multiple times in the same sentence or paragraph when using the phrase "are right to". This can create redundancy and weaken your writing. For example, instead of "They are right to think they have a right to complain", consider "They are right to believe they should complain".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are right to" functions as an evaluative expression, indicating agreement or justification for an action, feeling, or belief. It typically introduces a reason or explanation for why someone's stance is valid. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

1%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are right to" is a common and grammatically sound way to express agreement or justification. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's perfectly acceptable in written English and serves to validate actions or beliefs. Predominantly found in News & Media, it maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse settings. While alternatives like "are justified in" exist, "are right to" offers a straightforward and widely understood means of expressing support. Just remember to avoid overuse of "right" nearby to maintain clarity and conciseness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are justified in

Implies a stronger sense of justification based on specific reasons or circumstances.

have reason to

Indicates that there's a valid basis or cause for a particular action or feeling.

are correct to

Directly states that someone's actions or thoughts align with what is accurate or true.

are entitled to

Suggests that someone has a legitimate claim or right to do something.

are in their right to

Emphasizes the person's prerogative or legal permission to act in a certain way.

are within their rights to

Similar to "are in their right to" but more explicitly refers to established rights or entitlements.

are permitted to

Indicates a formal allowance or authorization to do something.

are allowed to

Similar to "are permitted to" but can also imply a more general or informal allowance.

may properly

Expresses that an action is done appropriately and with good reason.

are sensible to

Indicates a practical and logical reason for doing something.

FAQs

How can I use "are right to" in a sentence?

Use "are right to" to show agreement with someone's decision or feeling, often providing a reason. Example: "You are right to question the data's validity."

What's a formal alternative to "are right to"?

In formal contexts, consider using "are justified in" to convey a similar meaning with a more authoritative tone.

Is there a difference between "are right to" and "have reason to"?

"Are right to" indicates agreement or validation, while "have reason to" simply states that there is a valid cause or basis, without necessarily implying agreement.

When is it appropriate to use "are right to be" versus just "are right to"?

Use "are right to be" when followed by an adjective that describes a state of being, such as "They are right to be worried". Use "are right to" when followed by a verb indicating an action, such as "You are right to question the results".