conspicuous valour

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "conspicuous valour" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe bravery or courage that is easily noticeable or evident, often in a heroic context. Example: "The soldier's conspicuous valour during the battle earned him a medal of honor."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

His conspicuous valour in the victorious sea fight with the Persians at Salamis (480) led soon to his election as strategus one of Athens' 10 annual war ministers and generals and he was apparently reelected every year until his ostracism in 461.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The Victoria Cross is awarded for "the most conspicuous bravery, a daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice or extreme devotion to duty, in the presence of the enemy" at any point after 1 January 1993, may be presented posthumously, and, unlike its British counterpart, may be revoked.

Wikipedia

The conspicuous bravery of the tiny Aeginetan contingent (only about 40 ships) was recognized by a prize for valour.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Love! Valour!

The New York Times - Arts

A woman of valour.

The New York Times

Cries of valour.

The Guardian - Books

Not conspicuous?

The New York Times

But there is such valour here too.

The Guardian - Books

While there was valour, immense valour, what the eastern theatre was really about was greed.

The Guardian - Books

Too conspicuous.

The New York Times

Conspicuous consumption is out.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "conspicuous valour" when you want to emphasize not only the bravery of an action but also how easily noticeable and undeniable it is. It adds a layer of admiration and acknowledgment to the description of courage.

Common error

Avoid using "conspicuous valour" too frequently in contemporary writing, as it can sound overly formal or archaic. Consider modern alternatives like "remarkable courage" or "evident bravery" for a more approachable tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "conspicuous valour" is as a noun phrase describing a specific quality. Ludwig confirms its usability in English. The adjective "conspicuous" modifies the noun "valour", highlighting that the bravery is easily noticeable and evident.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "conspicuous valour" is a phrase used to describe acts of bravery that are highly noticeable and impressive. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability, although its frequency is relatively rare in contemporary English. It is more commonly found in formal contexts like encyclopedias and news articles. While grammatically sound, modern writers might opt for more accessible alternatives such as "remarkable courage" or "evident bravery" to avoid sounding overly formal. The phrase effectively conveys a sense of admiration for undeniable acts of courage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evident courage

Substitutes "valour" with "courage" and "conspicuous" with "evident", focusing on the clarity of the bravery.

noticeable bravery

Replaces "valour" with "bravery" and "conspicuous" with "noticeable", emphasizing the ease of observing the courage.

remarkable heroism

Changes both words to intensify the sense, highlighting the exceptional nature of the bravery.

outstanding courage

Similar to "noticeable bravery" but with a stronger emphasis on the quality of the courage.

plain bravery

It means that it is easy to see and understand. In other words: it is obvious and there's no pretense or show involved.

obvious courage

Indicates that the courage is easily seen and understood.

clear bravery

Indicates that the bravery is straightforward and apparent.

unmistakable bravery

Focuses on the certainty and lack of ambiguity in the bravery displayed.

patent courage

Similar to "obvious courage" and "clear bravery", it emphasizes the visibility and lack of pretense of the courage.

bold courage

Highlights the fearlessness and daring nature of the courage.

FAQs

How can I use "conspicuous valour" in a sentence?

"Conspicuous valour" is used to describe acts of bravery that are easily noticeable and impressive. For example, "His "conspicuous valour" in battle earned him a medal."

What phrases are similar to "conspicuous valour"?

Alternatives to "conspicuous valour" include "evident courage", "noticeable bravery", or "remarkable heroism". Each emphasizes different aspects of visible bravery.

Is "conspicuous valour" commonly used in modern English?

"Conspicuous valour" is not as commonly used in contemporary English as simpler phrases like "obvious bravery" or "remarkable courage". It carries a slightly more formal or historical tone.

What's the difference between "conspicuous valour" and "remarkable courage"?

While both describe bravery, "conspicuous valour" emphasizes the visibility and undeniable nature of the courage, whereas "remarkable courage" simply highlights the exceptional quality of the bravery.