courtesy gift

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "courtesy gift" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a gift given as a polite gesture or to show appreciation, often in a business or formal context. Example: "As a token of our appreciation for your support, we would like to present you with a courtesy gift."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Illustration courtesy Gift of Arthur A. Houghton Jr./MET.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

ALA and SFC were courtesy gifts from SBI Pharmaceuticals (Tokyo, Japan).

Nature

Sir Nicolas Bratza, former president of the European court of human rights and one of the judges who investigated the claims, said they were "symbolic" and "courtesy gifts".

The Guardian

Updated at 4.06pm BST 3.28pm BST Sneak peak at next hour's gifts Birthday gifts courtesy of Noisey Photograph: Guardian We'll be giving these goodies, all courtesy of Noisey, away at 4pm.

The Guardian

There is the Smilow Field House, courtesy of a gift from Mr. Smilow, and Johnson Field, an athletic field financed by another class member, Charles B. Johnson.

The New York Times

Courtesy of a gift card from a friend who either knows or likes me less than I thought, I recently had a massage at a place that promised to reboot my spiritual system by rubbing crystals over my chakras and releasing my inner energies.

The Guardian - Opinion

Courtesy of Yale University Art Gallery, Gift of Associates of the Sitter.

University of Chicago

Photos courtesy of Winterthur Museum; gift of George G. Diffenback and the Yuletide Demonstration Collection.

Forbes

Cover of Sunne's Gift, Courtesy of Milestales.

Huffington Post

The new admission policy comes courtesy of a gift from Topeka, Kan., philanthropists Glenn and Claire Swogger.

Los Angeles Times

That $425,000 MRAP came as a gift, courtesy of Uncle Sam, from one of our far-flung counterinsurgency wars.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "courtesy gift" when you want to emphasize the politeness or formality of giving a gift, especially in professional settings. It suggests the gift is given as a gesture of goodwill rather than a necessity.

Common error

Avoid using "courtesy gift" for expensive items, as it may downplay their actual value. This phrase is better suited for smaller, symbolic presents.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "courtesy gift" functions as a noun phrase, typically used to describe a present given as a polite gesture or expression of goodwill. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Academia

6%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "courtesy gift" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a gift given as a polite gesture, especially in professional contexts. While the phrase is correct, Ludwig AI indicates that the term isn't very common and is more appropriate for smaller, symbolic presents. Alternatives like "complimentary gift" or "token gift" might be more frequently used depending on the situation. The phrase aims to highlight the polite and appreciative nature of the offering, making it distinct from a simple "gift".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complimentary gift

Replaces "courtesy" with "complimentary", emphasizing the free nature of the gift as a gesture of goodwill.

token gift

Focuses on the symbolic value of the gift, suggesting it's a small gesture of appreciation.

gift of goodwill

Highlights the intention behind the gift, emphasizing the positive sentiment it represents.

gratuity gift

Implies the gift is given as a form of gratitude for services rendered or kindness received.

gesture gift

Emphasizes the act of giving as a symbolic gesture of politeness or appreciation.

promotional gift

Highlights the intention behind the gift, usually used for marketing purposes.

honorary gift

Indicates the gift is given as a tribute or recognition of someone's achievements.

gift of appreciation

Directly states the purpose of the gift, clearly conveying gratitude to the recipient.

amiable gift

Replaces "courtesy" with "amiable", underlining the friendly nature of the gift.

obligatory gift

Implies the gift is given more out of a sense of duty or social expectation than genuine kindness.

FAQs

How can I use "courtesy gift" in a sentence?

You might say, "As a "token of appreciation", please accept this "courtesy gift" from our company".

What's a more common phrase than "courtesy gift"?

Alternatives include "complimentary gift", "token gift", or simply "gift", depending on the context.

Is "courtesy gift" appropriate for all types of gifts?

It is most appropriate for smaller, symbolic gifts given as a gesture of politeness. For larger or more significant gifts, simply "gift" is usually sufficient.

When is it best to use "courtesy gift" instead of just "gift"?

Use "courtesy gift" when you want to highlight the polite or formal intention behind the act of giving, especially in business or professional relationships.