but rightly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but rightly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is correct or justified in a particular context. Example: "He was criticized for his decision, but rightly, as it led to significant issues for the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Twitter was predictably but rightly outraged.

Independent

I'm hard on myself but rightly so.

The Guardian

This is true – but rightly so.

The Guardian - Opinion

His bravery is ever-present, but rightly understated.

The Economist

But, rightly or wrongly, I've retained some integrity.

The Guardian

But, rightly or wrongly, immigration is increasingly a priority for Britons.

The Economist

But, rightly or wrongly, there will be no big fiscal expansion.

The Guardian

But, rightly, they object to studying only the works of white men, dead or alive.

The Guardian

Stating that a patient should never run again is probably a bit harsh, but rightly cautious.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The president supports a two-state solution but rightly believes that can be achieved only through negotiations.

The New York Times

Many of us fear death a little but rightly fear an exit through months in the torture chamber.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but rightly" to provide a concise justification or validation for a statement or action. Ensure that the context clearly supports the reason you are offering.

Common error

Avoid using "but rightly" excessively in casual conversation or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or even sarcastic if not used judiciously. Consider simpler alternatives like "and that's fair" or "understandably" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but rightly" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase. It modifies a preceding clause by providing a justification or validation for the statement made. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but rightly" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to express justification or validation. As Ludwig's analysis shows, it is grammatically correct and commonly found in news and media contexts. While generally neutral in register, overuse in informal settings should be avoided. Alternatives like "and deservedly so" or "justifiably" can be considered depending on the context. Remember to use "but rightly" when you want to clearly signal that something is not only correct but also justified or appropriate, and Ludwig confirms its use as appropriate and recommended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yet justifiably

Replaces 'rightly' with 'justifiably', emphasizing the fairness and reason behind the action or judgment.

and deservedly so

Adds emphasis that the outcome was earned or merited.

though justifiably

Similar in meaning, but places a stronger emphasis on the justification.

though appropriately

Focuses on the fittingness or suitability of the action.

but understandably

Emphasizes the ease with which the action or feeling can be comprehended or excused.

however correctly

Highlights the accuracy or correctness of the action or decision.

and with good reason

Indicates there's a valid and logical basis for what happened.

yet with justification

A more formal alternative, stressing the presence of valid reasons.

but not without reason

Implies there was a good reason for the action, even if it seems questionable.

though with cause

Emphasizes the existence of a legitimate cause or reason for the action.

FAQs

How can I use "but rightly" in a sentence?

Use "but rightly" to indicate that a previous statement, action, or feeling is justified or correct in some way. For example, "He was criticized for his decision, "but rightly", as it led to significant improvements."

What are some alternatives to "but rightly"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "and deservedly so", "justifiably", or "understandably" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "but rightly" appropriate for formal or informal writing?

"But rightly" is generally suitable for both formal and neutral writing, but may sound too formal in very informal contexts. Consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing when deciding whether to use it.

What's the difference between "but rightly" and "but correctly"?

While both indicate something is accurate, "but rightly" implies a sense of moral or contextual justification, while "but correctly" focuses more on factual accuracy. For example, "He guessed the answer, "but correctly"" emphasizes he got the right answer, while "He refused to compromise, "but rightly"" suggests his refusal was justified.