do right by

USAGE SUMMARY

"do right by" is a correct expression that can be used in written English.
It means to act ethically or honorably in relation to someone or something. For example: "I will do right by my parents and always do my best to make them proud."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Will he do right by it?

The New York Times - Arts

Do right by my kids, do right by my friends and do right by my family.

Independent

Let's do right by them.

The Washington Post

WE don't do right by lunch.

The New York Times - Food

And we will do right by them.

The New York Times

Reid just wanted to do right by his man.

The New Yorker

"We want to do right by our neighbors".

The New York Times

Or, just maybe, the software will do right by me.

The New York Times

But I hope he'll do right by me.

The New York Times

Mothers want to do right by their children.

The Guardian - Opinion

We have to do right by our customers.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "do right by", ensure the context clearly specifies who or what is being treated fairly or ethically. For example, "The company aims to "do right by" its employees by providing fair wages and benefits."

Common error

Avoid using "do right by" when the situation requires specific actions rather than a general ethical approach. For example, instead of saying "We will "do right by" the project", specify "We will allocate sufficient resources and personnel to ensure the project's success."

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "do right by" functions as a predicator, indicating an action performed towards someone or something. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage across various contexts, emphasizing ethical and fair treatment. The phrase typically requires a direct object specifying the recipient of the action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "do right by" is a widely used phrasal verb that conveys the intention to treat someone or something fairly and ethically. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, particularly in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's important to use the phrase in contexts where the scope of responsibility is clear and specific actions are implied. Consider alternatives like "treat fairly" or "act justly toward" for nuanced communication. Avoid vague applications and focus on tangible actions to truly "do right by" the subject in question.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

treat fairly

This alternative focuses on the aspect of fairness in treatment, omitting the nuance of moral obligation.

behave ethically toward

This alternative highlights the ethical dimension of the action, focusing on moral principles.

deal with honorably

Similar to "act justly", this emphasizes the honorable way of dealing with someone or something.

act justly toward

This is a more formal and legalistic alternative, emphasizing justice in one's actions.

show integrity toward

This alternative focuses on demonstrating moral uprightness and honesty in one's interactions.

fulfill one's obligations to

This phrase stresses the idea of duty and responsibility, suitable when a specific commitment is involved.

uphold one's duty to

This implies a commitment to maintaining and fulfilling a specific duty or responsibility.

honor one's commitments to

This emphasizes keeping promises and maintaining integrity in fulfilling agreements.

be responsible to

This is a broader term emphasizing accountability and duty towards someone or something.

act with rectitude toward

This is a formal and somewhat archaic way of saying to act morally and correctly toward someone.

FAQs

How can I use "do right by" in a sentence?

Use "do right by" to indicate treating someone or something fairly and ethically. For example, "The company aims to "do right by" its customers by providing excellent service."

What are some alternatives to "do right by"?

You can use alternatives such as "treat fairly", "act justly toward", or "behave ethically toward" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "do right by" or "do the right thing for"?

While both express ethical behavior, "do right by" specifically implies acting fairly towards a person or entity. "Do the right thing for" is more general and can refer to any morally correct action. It depends on the context.

What does it mean to say someone "didn't do right by" someone else?

It means they treated the person unfairly, dishonestly, or unethically. It suggests a failure to meet a moral or ethical obligation.