be lovely with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be lovely with" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward or unclear.
It could be used in informal contexts to suggest being kind or pleasant towards someone. Example: "I hope you can be lovely with your new colleagues to help build a positive work environment."

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Still, would be lovely with a pickle.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Drink it with: Would be lovely with all kinds of fish - perhaps something cooked en papillote with lime and lemon zest, and served plain with rice.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And if it is currently winter where you are, it would also be lovely with some poached rhubarb or roasted pears.

The Guardian - Books

If you feel something just a little stronger is justified, Lidl has a really delicious, sweet sparkling 7.5% moscatel called Velada at £5.99 a bottle that would be lovely with strawberries and cream.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Although one of the beauties of salsa verde is its infinite tweakability, I think the tarragon- and thyme-based variations are less versatile than the others – they would both be lovely with chicken or fish, but their powerful flavours work less well with other meats.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This dish can be tarted up a million ways -- swap the spinach for other vegetables in season -- it'll be lovely with the first asparagus of spring, if you can wait that long.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

I don't think you have to do it if you love one another... really and truly my married life was, was lovely with him.

The Guardian - Books

This is lovely with plain steamed rice.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Black sea bass is lovely with cilantro and ginger accents.

The New York Times

It's lovely, with heft and flavor — and easy.

The New York Times

It's all, 'everything is lovely with being gay now,' but it's not.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing food pairings, use "go well with" or "complement" for a more professional tone. "Be lovely with" is acceptable in informal contexts, but sounds awkward in professional writing.

Common error

Avoid using "be lovely with" in formal or business writing. Opt for more professional alternatives like "complement" or "pair well with" to maintain credibility and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be lovely with" functions primarily as a descriptor of behavior or suitability. It indicates a pleasant or harmonious association between two entities, whether people or objects, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be lovely with" is an informal expression used to describe a pleasant or harmonious relationship between two entities or to treat someone with kindness. While it appears in various contexts, including news and lifestyle articles, its use is relatively uncommon. Ludwig AI suggests that it's not standard in written English and can sound awkward. For formal writing, consider alternatives like "pair nicely with" or "complement well" when describing objects or food pairings and "be kind to" when describing behavior toward others.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be kind to

Emphasizes the act of showing kindness or consideration towards someone or something.

be nice to

Focuses on treating someone or something with politeness and respect.

treat with kindness

Highlights the manner of treating someone, emphasizing gentleness and empathy.

get along well with

Shifts the focus to establishing harmonious relationships.

be affectionate toward

Highlights showing love and care.

pair nicely with

Suggests a complementary relationship, often used in the context of food or drink.

go well with

Indicates that two things complement each other effectively.

complement well

Focuses on how one thing enhances or completes another.

is delightful with

Emphasizes the pleasing or charming quality of something when paired with something else.

harmonize with

Suggests a balanced and pleasing combination.

FAQs

What does it mean to "be lovely with" someone?

To "be lovely with" someone means to treat them with kindness, consideration, and affection. It suggests showing warmth and creating a pleasant interaction.

What can I say instead of "be lovely with" when describing food pairings?

When describing food pairings, you can use alternatives like "pair nicely with", "go well with", or "complement well" to convey a more professional tone.

Is "be lovely with" appropriate for formal writing?

While understandable, "be lovely with" is generally considered informal. For formal writing, consider alternatives such as "be kind to" or "treat with kindness" when referring to people, or more precise language when referring to object or food pairings.

How can I use "be lovely with" in a sentence?

You can use "be lovely with" in a sentence to describe someone's actions towards others, for example: "She always tries to be lovely with everyone she meets." Or when speaking about food, though less common: "This cheese would be lovely with a glass of red wine."