claim virtue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "claim virtue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of asserting or declaring one's moral excellence or righteousness, often in a context of self-promotion or moral superiority. Example: "In his speech, he sought to claim virtue by highlighting his charitable contributions while ignoring his past mistakes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

I don't claim virtue.

The New Yorker

But Hitchcock, haunted by the Buchan model of the hunted innocent, could make it seem as if neither side could claim virtue.

The New York Times

But they were still good girls and boys, just like Ms. Spears and her ilk, who claim virtue despite their superficial sexiness.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

If you want the Korea deal, fine; but don't claim virtues for it that it doesn't possess".

Huffington Post

Title 39, §§ 259 and 732, 39 U.S.C.A. §§ 259, 732, respondent strongly defended the quality of his workmanship and the truthfulness of every statement made in his advertisements, but the Postmaster General found that some of the statements were misleading and some claimed virtues for his goods which did not exist.

Cornell University

The emphasis of her story wavers as often as her claim to virtue.

The Guardian

Still, this is the design argument that the HomeHero fits into: that good aesthetics can make a claim on virtue.

The New York Times - Magazine

The left has a long history of self-righteousness, with people regarding themselves as holding an exclusive claim to virtue.

The Guardian

In partisan battles, Democrats and Republicans rarely deserve precisely the same pox on both of their houses and can rarely make a sole claim on virtue.

The New York Times

But Mr. Boehner was an active member of the lobbying-governing culture that has taken hold here, and Democrats were quick to try to pierce his claim of virtue with e-mailed newspaper articles detailing his ties to lobbyists.

The New York Times

Benedict does not become a Nazi if he deserted after Hitler was dead, but his claim to virtue is diminished and his authority as a promoter of Pius XII is undermined.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "claim virtue", ensure that the context supports the assertion. Overuse can lead to accusations of self-righteousness.

Common error

Avoid using "claim virtue" without providing supporting evidence or examples. The phrase implies a self-declaration of moral excellence, which can be perceived negatively if not justified.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "claim virtue" functions as a verb phrase where "claim" acts as a transitive verb taking "virtue" as its direct object. It signifies the act of asserting or professing moral excellence or righteousness. Ludwig indicates that it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "claim virtue" is a grammatically sound phrase that signifies the act of asserting one's own moral excellence. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While not frequently used, the phrase appears primarily in news and academic contexts. It is important to use this phrase judiciously, ensuring sufficient context to avoid perceptions of self-righteousness. Alternatives such as "assert one's righteousness" or "proclaim moral superiority" may offer subtle differences in emphasis depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assert one's righteousness

Emphasizes the act of declaring oneself morally upright.

lay claim to righteousness

Highlights the act of asserting one's righteousness.

proclaim moral superiority

Highlights the act of declaring oneself as morally better than others.

profess virtuousness

Focuses on openly declaring one's virtuous nature.

profess integrity

Emphasizes the open declaration of one's integrity.

allege ethical conduct

Suggests an assertion of behaving in an ethically sound manner.

maintain moral high ground

Highlights the act of insisting on possessing superior moral standards.

assert ethical rectitude

Highlights the act of declaring oneself ethically correct and upright.

take credit for morality

Focuses on receiving recognition for moral actions.

boast of virtue

Emphasizes bragging about one's virtue.

FAQs

How can I use "claim virtue" in a sentence?

You can use "claim virtue" when discussing someone asserting their own moral goodness, such as "The politician tried to "claim virtue" by highlighting his commitment to public service, despite his controversial past."

What are some alternatives to "claim virtue"?

Alternatives include "assert one's righteousness", "proclaim moral superiority", or "profess virtuousness", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "claim virtue" and "possess virtue"?

"Claim virtue" implies an assertion or declaration of being virtuous, whereas "possess virtue" suggests an actual state of having virtuous qualities. One is about perception and the other is about reality.

Is it always negative to "claim virtue"?

Not necessarily. While it can sometimes imply arrogance or self-righteousness, ""claim virtue"" can also be used neutrally to describe someone highlighting their positive moral attributes, especially in a competitive context or to contrast oneself against someone else.