ethically speaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ethically speaking" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used when discussing ethical matters, and conveys a sense of the speaker or writer's moral considerations. For example: "Ethically speaking, it would be wrong to use techniques that exploit animals for cosmetic testing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Ethically speaking, vegetables get all the glory.

The New York Times - Magazine

Ethically speaking, that's not much better.

The New Yorker

But legally and ethically speaking, we're not ready for it.

The New York Times

Ethically speaking, the industry "has to be viewed in relative, not absolutist, terms," he argues.

The Economist

For ethically speaking, these two issues looming so large in national debates bear a striking resemblance.

The New York Times

In "Calling All Carnivores.Tell Us Why It's Ethical to Eat Meat: A Contest" Ariel Kaminer writes: Ethically speaking, vegetables get all the glory.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

In all situations, ethically-speaking, it is difficult to leave elderly patients exposed to such infectious situations, with all concomitant consequences (pain, risk of breathing in germs, septicemia, and heart disorder).

Clinical interventions in aging

Legally, ethically and practically speaking, those of us living with mental illness should be judged by our deeds, not our diagnoses.

The New York Times

It is always worth mentioning that you should always find people ethically and with integrity and when speaking to people on the telephone to be polite and courteous at all times even if they are rude to you.

WikiHow

It is ethically permissible for former politicians to be paid for speaking engagements, because clients hire these speakers voluntarily.

HuffPost

The article suggested that it's ethically questionable at best for former politicians to receive exorbitant fees for speaking engagements.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ethically speaking" to introduce a consideration based on moral principles, ensuring clarity and signaling a shift to an ethical perspective.

Common error

Avoid using "ethically speaking" when the context does not genuinely involve ethical considerations. This phrase should only be used when directly addressing questions of right and wrong, not for general opinions or preferences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ethically speaking" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase. It modifies a clause or sentence by indicating that the statement is made from an ethical perspective. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to frame discussions around moral considerations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ethically speaking" is a correct and commonly used phrase to introduce an ethical perspective. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and appropriateness for framing ethical considerations. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. When writing, ensure you're genuinely discussing ethics and use "ethically speaking" to clearly signal that you're shifting to a moral viewpoint. Alternatives like "from an ethical standpoint" offer similar ways to express ethical considerations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

from an ethical standpoint

Focuses on a specific viewpoint related to ethics.

in ethical terms

Highlights the use of ethical language and concepts.

from a moral perspective

Shifts the focus slightly towards morality rather than just ethics.

morally speaking

Directly addresses moral considerations, similar to ethical considerations.

on ethical grounds

Emphasizes the justification based on ethical principles.

as a matter of ethics

Presents the issue directly as an ethical concern.

in light of ethical considerations

Highlights the importance of ethical aspects in the decision-making process.

considering ethics

A more general way to introduce ethical considerations.

from an ethical angle

Suggests looking at the ethical side of a topic.

with regard to ethics

A more formal way of saying "concerning ethics".

FAQs

How can I use "ethically speaking" in a sentence?

Use "ethically speaking" to introduce a statement about moral considerations, such as, "Ethically speaking, it's important to consider the impact on all stakeholders."

What are some alternatives to "ethically speaking"?

Alternatives include "from an ethical standpoint", "in ethical terms", or "from a moral perspective", each subtly shifting the emphasis of the statement.

Is it correct to say "ethically speaking"?

Yes, "ethically speaking" is a correct and commonly used phrase to introduce an ethical consideration or viewpoint.

When is it appropriate to use "ethically speaking" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "ethically speaking" when you want to explicitly signal that you are about to discuss the ethical implications of a situation or decision.