devotion to the ideal

USAGE SUMMARY

"devotion to the ideal" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone's strong commitment or loyalty to an ideal or belief. Here is an example: Her unwavering devotion to the ideal of equality drove her to fight for social justice and advocate for marginalized communities.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

In reading this book, I was reminded of the columnist Dan Savage's long-running contention that heterosexual couples would have more stable relationships if they had a less rigid devotion to the ideal of monogamy.

The New York Times - Books

But Morris's devotion to the ideal of military service was less ardent than his commitment to an overriding principle: black participation in public life must take place on terms of perfect equality.

The New York Times

In the British catalog, Karen Armstrong, who has written widely about the Abrahamic religions, minimizes the scale of Islamist violence by suggesting that each religion has its dangerous extremists, but more important, she argues, is that the faiths share a devotion to the ideal of transcendence through holy texts.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In young Elizabeth Colson the Wallises clearly found the kind of devotion to the ideals of scholarship which they themselves possessed.

University of California, Berkeley

Since its inception, the Yale Medal has been presented to 272 individuals, all of whom not only showed extraordinary devotion to the ideals of the University, but also were conspicuous in demonstrating their support of Yale through extensive, exemplary service on behalf of Yale as a whole or one of its many schools, institutes, or programs.

Yale University

Finkel considers this surprising, in light of her long-time devotion to the ideals of social credit, the role the CCF played in her 1940 election defeat, and his assessment that she "seemed more interested in monetary reform than in the general social critique put forward by the CCF".

Wikipedia

That is ironic, given the firm's long devotion to the partnership ideal as a unique feature of Goldman's mystique and superiority.

The Economist

While visiting Greece in 1957 at the age of 90, she was made an honorary citizen of Athens in recognition of her devotion to the ancient ideals of that city.

Britannica

She said that at the time of the robbery and shootout in Nanuet, her devotion to the political ideals that led her into the antiwar movement of the 1960's had been warped by over a decade of isolation.

The New York Times

Students have to show their devotion to the school's ideals before they are given a place, many of which are scholarship funded.

The Guardian

See articleThe clerics still ruleIran's conservatives, who call themselves "principlists" for their devotion to the Islamic Republic's ideals, performed well in the first round of elections for the majlis, the country's parliament.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "devotion to the ideal" to convey a strong, unwavering commitment to a specific principle or belief.

Common error

Avoid presenting "devotion to the ideal" as unquestioning acceptance. True devotion involves critical engagement and a willingness to adapt as new information arises.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "devotion to the ideal" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It signifies a strong, unwavering commitment or loyalty to a particular principle, belief, or goal, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "devotion to the ideal" is a phrase used to express a strong and unwavering commitment to a principle or belief. While Ludwig identifies it as grammatically correct, its usage is relatively rare. Examples from Ludwig show the phrase appearing in news, academic, and encyclopedic contexts. When employing the phrase, ensure the ideal is clearly defined to enhance clarity and impact. Be mindful of avoiding the perception of blind faith, encouraging critical engagement instead.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

commitment to the ideal

Replaces "devotion" with "commitment", emphasizing dedication.

dedication to the ideal

Uses "dedication" instead of "devotion", highlighting a strong focus.

allegiance to the ideal

Employs "allegiance" suggesting loyalty and support.

adherence to the ideal

Replaces "devotion" with "adherence", stressing compliance and conformity.

faithfulness to the ideal

Uses "faithfulness" to emphasize a steadfast belief.

loyalty to the ideal

Employs "loyalty" suggesting strong support and allegiance.

zealousness for the ideal

Replaces "devotion" with "zealousness", highlighting enthusiasm.

passion for the ideal

Uses "passion" to convey intense emotion and enthusiasm.

unwavering belief in the ideal

Expands the phrase to emphasize a strong, unchanging conviction.

deep commitment to the ideal

Adds "deep" to intensify the level of commitment.

FAQs

How can I use "devotion to the ideal" in a sentence?

You can use "devotion to the ideal" to describe someone's strong commitment to a specific principle. For example: "Her "devotion to the ideal" of social justice motivated her activism."

What are some alternatives to "devotion to the ideal"?

Alternatives include "commitment to the ideal", "dedication to the ideal", or "allegiance to the ideal".

What does "devotion to the ideal" imply?

It implies a strong, unwavering commitment and loyalty to a particular principle or belief, often involving significant effort and sacrifice.

Is "devotion to the ideal" formal or informal?

The phrase "devotion to the ideal" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the subject matter.