as a gesture of unity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a gesture of unity" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an action taken to demonstrate solidarity or togetherness among a group or individuals. Example: "The community came together to plant trees in the park as a gesture of unity, showing their commitment to preserving the environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The Vatican hopes that Russia will appreciate the return of the icon -- actually an 18th-century copy of an image that first appeared 200 years earlier in Kazan -- as a gesture of unity and reconciliation, and that it will help pave the way for a visit by the Slavic pope.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Instead, Mr. McAuliffe said, he went to the Red Cross to give blood in a gesture of unity.

The New York Times

Still, the vote was a bold reprimand of France's ruling class from all ideological directions, a gesture of unity in anger.

The New Yorker

WASHINGTON — A leader of the Senate Democrats and one of the Senate's most conservative Republicans will sit together at the State of the Union speech next week in a gesture of unity.

The New York Times

We set out across the short stretch of no man's land towards Libya beneath a giant image of Muammar Gaddafi, his chin lifted, hands held together in a gesture of unity and victory.

The Guardian

Not only did Mr. Duhalde send his presidential jet yesterday to pick up the new Brazilian ambassador to Argentina, but he also promised, Mr. Amadeo said, to receive the ambassador immediately "as a gesture of particular unity with our Brazilian neighbors".

The New York Times

To top it off, he was later released by President Kim Young-sam, in a gesture of national unity, and now lives under constant protection in the leafy Yeonhee-dong district of Seoul.General Chun is apparently not without his defenders, even today.

The Economist

It may have been meant as a gesture of support.

The Economist

Danish papers reprinted the cartoons as a gesture of solidarity.

The Guardian - Opinion

But they threw in England as a gesture of goodwill".

The Guardian - Sport

They should shake hands as a gesture of friendship.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as a gesture of unity" when you want to emphasize that a specific action is intended to symbolize or promote togetherness, rather than simply being a practical measure. For example, a symbolic handshake between leaders can be "as a gesture of unity" after a conflict.

Common error

Avoid using "as a gesture of unity" when the action is purely functional and doesn't carry symbolic weight. For example, using it to describe a routine team meeting would be inappropriate; the meeting is primarily for practical purposes, not symbolic representation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a gesture of unity" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to describe the purpose or intent behind an action. It explains why something is being done, framing it as a symbolic act of promoting or demonstrating togetherness. Ludwig confirms this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as a gesture of unity" is a useful phrase to describe an action intended to symbolize togetherness or promote a sense of common purpose. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct, as also suggested by Ludwig AI, although its usage frequency is uncommon. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts and its effectiveness lies in its ability to highlight the symbolic value of the action. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure that the action genuinely carries symbolic weight and is not merely a routine or functional task. Consider alternatives like "in a show of solidarity" or "as a symbol of concord" for similar but slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a symbol of concord

Replaces "gesture" with "symbol" and "unity" with "concord", emphasizing the symbolic representation of agreement.

as a token of harmony

Substitutes "gesture" with "token" and "unity" with "harmony", highlighting the harmonious relationship being expressed.

in a show of solidarity

Replaces the entire phrase with a more direct expression of support and togetherness.

to demonstrate togetherness

Simplifies the phrase to emphasize the act of demonstrating a unified front.

as an act of accord

Replaces "gesture of unity" with "act of accord", focusing on the agreement between parties.

in the spirit of cooperation

Shifts the focus to the underlying cooperative intention behind the action.

as a unifying action

Reduces the phrase to a more concise description of the action's effect.

to foster collaboration

Focuses on the intention to promote collaborative efforts and mutual understanding.

as a bridge-building effort

Uses a metaphorical expression to describe the act of creating unity and understanding.

as a means of reconciliation

Highlights the potential for restoring amicable relations as the primary aim.

FAQs

How can I use "as a gesture of unity" in a sentence?

You can use "as a gesture of unity" to describe actions intended to symbolize solidarity or promote togetherness, such as "The leaders signed the agreement "as a gesture of unity" after the negotiations".

What are some alternatives to "as a gesture of unity"?

Alternatives include phrases like "in a show of solidarity", "as a symbol of concord", or "to demonstrate togetherness", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "as a gesture of unity"?

It's appropriate when describing a specific action deliberately performed to represent or encourage a feeling of togetherness. Avoid using it when the action is purely functional or doesn't have a strong symbolic meaning.

What's the difference between "as a gesture of unity" and "as a gesture of solidarity"?

"As a gesture of unity" emphasizes togetherness and harmony among a group, while "as a gesture of solidarity" stresses support or agreement with a particular cause or group. They're similar, but solidarity implies a shared stance on an issue.