courtesy

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'courtesy' is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used as a noun to describe behaviour or speech that is polite and considerate. Example sentence: We were overwhelmed by the courtesy of the hotel staff when we arrived.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

All statistics courtesy of WhoScored.com, where you can find yet more stats, including live in-game data and unique player and team ratings.

The Guardian - Sport

An opening bat! · Jokes courtesy of Upper Crust Crackers.

The Guardian

Pumphouse Point Pumphouse Point road, Lake St Clair 0428 090 436 Lake St Clair lodge Lake St Clair Road, Lake St Clair [phone] Oatlands lodge 92 High Street, Oatlands [phone] Oliver Milman travelled to Tasmania courtesy of Tourism Tasmania.

The Guardian - Travel

The England No3 then clubs her first boundary straight down the ground, just beating the dive of Jonassen, and follows it up with another, this one singeing the fingers of the bowler before being tossed over the rope courtesy of some pretty miserable fielding down on the boundary, with Jonassen this time the guilty party.

The Guardian - Sport

What strikes me about Dai is his courtesy, desire to be fair and melodious Welsh accent, like a boat on an up-and-down sea.

The Guardian - Film

His formative experiences in coding were courtesy of the DEC PDP-10 owned by British Petroleum's petrochemical works in Brough, East Yorkshire, near his home town of Hornsea.

The Guardian - Tech

"Leader of the Labour party" was a courtesy title given to the leader of the PLP.

The Guardian

All week, in the lead-up to the matches, the talk had been of respect and courtesy, of etiquette and fairness, not only from the players but from the crowds.

The Guardian - Sport

The pair combined brilliantly for a 57th-minute Curtis Rona try that wrested control of the match back to the Bulldogs, after Manly had forged their way to the lead for the first time courtesy of a Peta Hiku four-pointer in the 48th minute.

The Guardian - Sport

And just in time, before I am entirely overwhelmed by melancholy courtesy of the Wogan all-time favourite playlist, he plays an unbeat one.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Also captured on video this week was an attempt by a group of men at BuzzFeed to recreate Kim Kardashian's 'break the internet' photo-shoot, a panda rolling in snow and a token GoPro video, this time courtesy of an eagle flying over London.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When extending professional courtesy, explicitly state the action. For instance, 'As a courtesy, we are waiving the late fee.'

Common error

Don't assume that simply using the word "courtesy" guarantees a positive impression. Ensure your actions genuinely reflect politeness and consideration; otherwise, the term can sound insincere or even sarcastic.

Linguistic Context

The word "courtesy" functions primarily as a noun, denoting polite behavior or a polite gesture. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable form in various contexts. It can also be used as an adjective to describe something given as a polite gesture, such as "courtesy tickets".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "courtesy" is a versatile term primarily used as a noun to express politeness, respect, and consideration. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable. It sees frequent use in news and media and formal business settings, highlighting its role in both general communication and professional environments. While it maintains a neutral to formal tone, ensure that your actions genuinely reflect politeness and consideration to avoid insincerity. Consider alternatives such as "politeness", "respect", or "civility" depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Politeness

Focuses specifically on adhering to social norms of behavior.

Respect

Emphasizes showing deference and esteem towards others.

Good manners

Highlights adherence to socially acceptable behavior.

Civility

Stresses formal politeness and courteous behavior in public interactions.

Consideration

Focuses on being mindful of others' needs and feelings.

Graciousness

Implies elegance and generosity in social interactions.

Deference

Emphasizes yielding to the judgment or authority of others.

Tact

Highlights skill in dealing with sensitive matters or people.

Diplomacy

Focuses on skill in managing international relations or sensitive negotiations.

Etiquette

Emphasizes adherence to social norms of behavior.

FAQs

How can I use "courtesy" in a sentence?

"Courtesy" can be used to describe polite behavior, a polite gesture, or something given free of charge. For example, "Please extend them the "courtesy" of your presence", or "The event planners offered "courtesy" tickets for the reporters".

What's the difference between "courtesy" and "politeness"?

"Courtesy" encompasses respectful and considerate behavior, while "politeness" specifically refers to adhering to social norms. "Courtesy" often implies a deeper level of respect and thoughtfulness.

What can I say instead of "courtesy"?

You can use alternatives like "respect", "civility", or "good manners" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "out of courtesy"?

Yes, the phrase "out of courtesy" is perfectly acceptable and commonly used to indicate that something is done as a polite gesture or to show respect. For example, "He visited her out of "courtesy" even though he was busy".