exemplary action

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exemplary action" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe any particularly impressive or commendable action taken by someone. For example, "Her exemplary actions during the emergency earned her a promotion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

What important ideas should govern thinking about it: expiatory sacrifice, ransom from slavery, feudal satisfaction, legal justification, exemplary action?

The New York Times

Dramatic poetry, he argued, is the representation of an 'important' action, namely an action that has been purged of all the petty and unnecessary details of real life; it is the performance of a morally and intellectually exemplary action through dialogue.

SEP

The Dalai Lama talked about service in ways different from our leaders who highlight examples of exemplary action and quantifiable results.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Police work was the lifeblood of Officer Callahan, 44, a 22-year police veteran who got at least a half of a dozen citations for exemplary actions, including a group citation for "heroic efforts" during the first trade center bombing in 1993, the police said.

The New York Times

Your mandate expires in a few months but you can still leave as legacy a United Nations that will be known by the impact of its exemplary actions and not by its many meetings and multiple goals.

Huffington Post

I haven't seen "The Raid: Redemption" (which Sternbergh praises as an exemplary new action film), but I saw a superb new old-school American action film that came out earlier this year, Steven Soderbergh's "Haywire".

The New Yorker

He argues, with an assured command of his sources, that Lenin was an incorrigible optimist about working-class organisation: his overarching aim was to encourage it through education, agitation and exemplary, heroic action, rather than acting on the workers' behalf.

The Guardian - Books

Rooney cut a subdued figure around the periphery of the game in the warm-up, when goals were celebrated and at the conclusion - but the attitude was exemplary when the action was taking place.

BBC

"His exemplary conduct and actions touched the lives and hearts of many.

The Guardian

Publishers that refuse to sign up to a recognition panel set out in the charter could be subject to exemplary damages if actions against them are upheld in court.

Independent

His extraordinary action was exemplary of how non-violent action that risks an individual's safety, security, and even life can inspire others to act -- even a football team!

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "exemplary action" to highlight actions that set a high standard of excellence or moral uprightness, especially when you want to inspire others.

Common error

Avoid using "exemplary action" in casual conversations or informal writing. Its formal tone is better suited for professional, academic, or journalistic contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exemplary action" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "exemplary" modifies the noun "action". As confirmed by Ludwig, it's used to describe actions that are particularly commendable or serve as a model.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exemplary action" is a phrase used to describe a particularly commendable or outstanding deed that serves as a model for others. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While relatively rare in overall usage, it is more commonly found in formal contexts such as news reports, scientific publications, and formal business communications. Alternative phrases like "commendable deed" or "model behavior" can be used for similar effect, with slight variations in nuance. When employing "exemplary action", it's crucial to maintain a formal tone and reserve its usage for appropriate contexts to maximize its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

commendable deed

Replaces "action" with "deed", emphasizing the act itself as worthy of praise.

exceptional deed

Emphasizes the deed as being beyond the ordinary.

praiseworthy act

Emphasizes the act as deserving of praise and admiration.

meritorious action

Highlights the action as deserving reward or recognition.

laudable conduct

Replaces "action" with "conduct", suggesting behavior worthy of praise and commendation.

model behavior

Shifts the focus to the behavior being a standard for others to follow.

outstanding conduct

Replaces "action" with "conduct", highlighting the manner in which something is done.

admirable behavior

Similar to "model behavior" but focuses more on the characteristic of being worthy of admiration.

noteworthy behavior

Focuses on the behavior being significant and deserving attention.

sterling example

Uses "sterling" to denote high quality and "example" to refer to a specific instance.

FAQs

How can I use "exemplary action" in a sentence?

You can use "exemplary action" to describe a specific instance of behavior that is worthy of imitation or praise. For example: "The firefighter's "exemplary action" saved the family from the burning building."

What's a simpler way to say "exemplary action"?

Alternatives include "commendable deed", "model behavior", or "praiseworthy act", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "exemplary action" formal or informal?

"Exemplary action" leans towards the formal side. For more casual situations, consider using phrases like "good deed" or "great job" instead.

What distinguishes "exemplary action" from "good action"?

"Exemplary action" implies a higher standard of excellence and often suggests that the action serves as an example for others. "Good action" is a more general term for any positive or helpful act.