basic civility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "basic civility" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the fundamental level of politeness and respect that is expected in social interactions. Example: "In our discussions, we should always strive to maintain basic civility, even when we disagree."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Now, the tragedy in the middle class community on Long Island's East End will be a matter for civil litigation rather than basic civility.

The New York Times

"Let's all commit ourselves to the basic civility of minding our own business," she writes.

The New Yorker

Civilisation and basic civility are knocked down with hate, fear, xenophobia and primitive gut nationalism.

The Guardian - Opinion

Wikipedia encourages contributors to mimic the basic civility, trust, cultural acceptance and self-organizing qualities familiar to any city dweller.

The New York Times

The single most important requirement is that you expect nothing beyond basic civility and respect — and sometimes you have to surrender even  that.

The New York Times

The media critic Howard Kurtz, of Fox News, said that Ramos had behaved "like a heckler," contravening "basic civility" by not waiting to be called on.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Alas, the physical form and cultural ambience of many places in Britain, as Anna Minton revealed in her recent book Ground Control, are already controlled by perceived security issues rather than a yearning for thoroughly considered architectural regeneration, or even basic urban civility.

Independent

In short, all women, even a "Nasty Woman" deserves basic, common civility and basic, common respect, which must be afforded to all humans.

Huffington Post

And the thing that makes Vermont in particular so special, and I hope this book captures some of it, is the basic underlying civility of its political life.

Huffington Post

Despite the Independent Expert's recent departure, these nations are in sync with the call for religious dialogue as a key step to international solutions that uphold the basic safety, civility and the right to being born free and equal under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Huffington Post

People want to and deserve to be treated with civility: basic respect, basic kindness, and basic courtesy.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In professional communication, "basic civility" can set a tone of mutual respect and understanding, facilitating more productive discussions.

Common error

While "basic civility" is widely applicable, avoid overusing it in excessively formal academic or scientific papers where more precise or nuanced language may be appropriate. Consider using terms like "professional decorum" or "interpersonal respect" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "basic civility" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "basic" modifies "civility" to specify a fundamental level of politeness and respect. As Ludwig AI shows, it's often used to describe expected conduct in social or professional interactions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "basic civility" is a commonly used phrase that refers to the fundamental level of politeness and respect expected in social interactions. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and frequently found in News & Media contexts. Alternatives include "fundamental courtesy" and "essential politeness". When using this phrase, emphasize its role in fostering functional relationships. Ludwig AI also cautions against overuse in highly formal contexts, suggesting more nuanced alternatives might sometimes be better suited. Therefore, using the phrase implies a call for fundamental respect and politeness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fundamental courtesy

Emphasizes the underlying politeness and respect expected in interactions; focuses more on polite behavior.

essential politeness

Highlights the necessity of being polite; focuses on adherence to social norms and customs.

minimum decency

Stresses the baseline level of moral behavior and respect expected; emphasizes respect of another's dignity.

rudimentary respect

Underscores the fundamental level of respect that should be shown to others; conveys basic consideration for others.

common consideration

Highlights consideration as a base element of civilised human interactions.

simple decorum

Emphasizes adherence to standards of etiquette and appropriate behavior; focuses on upholding accepted norms.

elementary civility

Stresses the elementary nature of civility; highlights that it's a foundational concept.

standard etiquette

Focuses more on adherence to conventional social behaviors.

basic social graces

Emphasizes refined and polite behavior in social settings.

ordinary good manners

Highlights the importance of showing good manners.

FAQs

How can I use "basic civility" in a sentence?

You can use "basic civility" to describe the minimum level of respect and politeness expected in interactions. For example, "Despite their differences, they maintained "basic civility" during the debate."

What's the difference between "basic civility" and politeness?

"Basic civility" refers to the fundamental level of respect and courtesy expected in social interactions, while politeness often involves more refined and elaborate manners. Politeness can build on "basic civility" by adding elements of social grace and etiquette.

Which is correct: "basic civility" or "civil basicity"?

"Basic civility" is the correct and commonly used phrase. "Civil basicity" is not a standard English phrase and would likely be confusing. Stick to "basic civility" to convey the intended meaning.

What can I say instead of "basic civility"?

You can use alternatives like "fundamental courtesy", "essential politeness", or "minimum decency" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.