courteously

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "courteously" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to act or speak in a polite and respectful manner. Example: The customer service representative greeted the angry customer courteously, patiently listening to their complaints and offering a sincere apology for the inconvenience caused.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I don't want to personalise it but obviously I do regret that while my representations have been listened to patiently and courteously, they have not been heeded".

The Guardian

He courteously replied, 'It is Abraham Lincoln, of Illinois.'" We will conclude with a passage from Lincoln's letter to Colonel Hodges, of Kentucky, written in April , 1864

The Economist

He has already given several interviews during the day but he remains calmly and courteously insistent that, if he had to do it again, he would take the same decisions.

The Economist

He nearly always treated them courteously, yet he gave little of himself away.

The Economist

Their letters are usually courteous, and should be courteously received; one can, after all, write sailboard.

The Economist

Mr Hollings walks in stately fashion through Greenville's local government offices, reminiscing with matronly ladies about friends long since gone from the political stage and courteously expressing "appreciation for your consideration in November".This race, the Hollings camp concedes, will be very close.

The Economist

General McChrystal's directive on the need for units to drive vehicles courteously is little different from the order issued by his sacked predecessor, General David McKiernan, and posted at NATO bases: "We can't win if you drive recklessly".But if the theory is the same, the implementation may be different.

The Economist

In 1997, accompanied by his mother, he was received courteously and a referendum was held on whether the monarchy should be restored.

The Economist

He always courteously obliged them, though by the end his thin, scratchy voice came out in gasps.

The Economist

Although SPEEA members voted to affiliate themselves with the AFL-CIO only last October, the (mainly blue-collar) union federation has courteously contributed to the engineers' tiny strike fund.As for Boeing, even though the aircraft maker has industrial logic on its side, the suspicion remains that it has not handled the strike well.

The Economist

Would the West have been wrong, Mr Clinton courteously asked, to "interfere" in Russian affairs and stand up for Mr Yeltsin if the coup leaders had jailed him?Mr Yeltsin, for his part, sounded off with remarkable vigour against "the aggression by NATO, with America at its head, against Yugoslavia", and suggested that Europeans should be allowed to settle their own affairs.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "courteously" to emphasize the manner in which an action is performed, highlighting politeness and respect. It's best used when describing interactions or responses, like "He listened courteously to the speaker."

Common error

Avoid using "courteously" when describing actions that inherently don't require politeness. For example, saying "the machine operated courteously" is incorrect because politeness applies to human behavior, not mechanical functions.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "courteously" modifies verbs, indicating the manner in which an action is performed. It specifies that the action is done with politeness and respect. Ludwig examples show its usage in describing how someone speaks, replies, or treats others.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

6%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "courteously" is an adverb used to describe actions performed with politeness and respect. Ludwig AI confirms that it follows standard grammar rules and is frequently found in News & Media. Its use is encouraged to describe respectful interactions but should be avoided when describing inanimate objects. Alternative phrases include "politely" and "respectfully", depending on the desired nuance. This guide helps ensure "courteously" is used correctly and effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

politely

This term is a direct synonym, emphasizing adherence to social norms of etiquette.

respectfully

Focuses on showing deference and esteem.

graciously

Highlights the elegance and kindness in one's behavior.

civilly

Emphasizes maintaining a basic level of politeness necessary for social interaction.

diplomatically

Suggests skill in handling sensitive matters with tact and politeness.

with good manners

A phrase that explicitly points to the display of proper etiquette.

with consideration

Highlights thoughtfulness and attention to others' feelings.

thoughtfully

Similar to 'with consideration', but emphasizes the mental process behind the polite action.

attentively

Emphasizes being focused and responsive in a polite manner.

amiably

Stresses friendliness and warmth in one's courteous behavior.

FAQs

How can I use "courteously" in a sentence?

"Courteously" is an adverb that describes how an action is performed in a polite and respectful manner. For example: "The receptionist answered the phone "courteously"."

What are some alternatives to saying "courteously"?

Alternatives to "courteously" include "politely", "respectfully", or "graciously". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "courteously" to describe an object's action?

No, "courteously" should only be used to describe actions performed by people, as it implies politeness and respect. Describing an object as acting "courteously" would be incorrect.

What's the difference between "courteously" and "cordially"?

While both words suggest politeness, "courteously" emphasizes respect and proper etiquette, while "cordially" implies warmth and friendliness.