expedience

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'expedience' is correct and usable in written English.
It is a noun and means the quality of being convenient and practical, often at the expense of moral principles or long-term benefits. Here are some examples of how it can be used in a sentence: - The politician's decision to approve the project was based on expedience rather than considering the potential long-term consequences. - In business, short-term gains often take precedence over ethical considerations and expedience is valued over sustainability. - It may seem like taking shortcuts is the most expedient way to reach success, but ultimately, hard work and honesty will pay off in the long run. - The company's focus on expedience and profitability has led to neglecting the well-being and satisfaction of their employees. - In wartime, governments often justify their actions as necessary expedience for the protection and safety of their citizens.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Brown told Guardian Australia: "The boundary has not been drawn by any environmental consistency, it's for pure commercial expedience.

The Guardian

Mr Kuchma's foreign-policy balance between east and west was also disturbed by suspected arms dealings with Saddam Hussein (the troops he sent to Iraq to assuage the Americans began to return home this week).One more mystery relevant to Mr Putin's visit also demands a nice balance between justice and political expedience: Mr Yushchenko's near-fatal poisoning last autumn.

The Economist

Africa is a place where expedience trumps moral niceties, and where benevolence reliably boomerangs with the most woeful of consequences: nothing is so dangerous as a righteous man.The plot involves a Christian aid organisation that buys and liberates black slaves captured by northern Sudanese Arabs during rapacious raids on southern villages.

The Economist

He claims to have changed since the 1980s, renouncing communism, supporting a free-trade pact with the United States and cosying up to the Catholic church but his campaign was one of expedience rather than of principle.

The Economist

China is now India's biggest trading partner.A whole lotta hedging going onYet China's trade with India, and others, counts for something besides commercial expedience.

The Economist

Together, they have a chance of representing most of the Luhya, Luo, Kikuyu, Kalenjin and Masai tribes a formidable ethnic block.But, despite their dynamic name, the young turks represent no fresh ideas, only old expedience.

The Economist

Previous nationalist governments, led by the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV), had relied on support from pro-ETA separatists.In this section The Teflon minister Unhappy in Hamburg Same, but different Scandal, tension and turbulence Warsaw's wounds Viktor Yanukovich turns eastward No time for doubters ReprintsPolitical expedience is not, however, a valid argument in court.

The Economist

Still, he worries about Mr Obama's support for so-called clean coal and for nuclear power, though he speculates the president-elect might have taken those stances out of political expedience.

The Economist

AT A time when financial firms will spend hundreds of millions of dollars to settle legal claims as a matter of expedience, Deutsche Bank has done the unthinkable.

The Economist

That stoked the appetite for devolution in England, especially in the Labour Party, which is traditionally strong in the big regional cities. Political expedience also endears devolution to some Conservatives.

The Economist

His work is a poignant plea against all that is inhumane in the forces that rule the world: expedience (Cinq-Mars), governments and the mob (Stello and Daphné), and the treacherous love of women ("La Colère de Samson").

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "expedience", consider the ethical implications of prioritizing immediate convenience over long-term consequences.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "expedience" with "expediency". While related, "expedience" refers to the quality of being suitable to achieve a desired result, whereas "expediency" often implies a focus on what is advantageous rather than what is morally right.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "expedience" is as a noun. It refers to the quality of being convenient and practical, often with an implication of disregarding ethics or long-term consequences. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "expedience" is a noun denoting the quality of being suitable or practical for achieving a particular end, often implying a focus on immediate convenience over long-term ethical considerations. As verified by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in news, media, and formal business contexts. It's closely related to terms like "practicality" and "convenience", but also carries a hint of opportunism. When using "expedience", be mindful of the potential trade-offs between efficiency and ethics, and avoid confusing it with "expediency" which more strongly suggests prioritizing immediate advantage. Be very aware about the ethical implications of prioritizing immediate convenience over long-term consequences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

practicality

Focuses on the quality of being useful and suitable for a particular purpose, highlighting efficiency and effectiveness.

suitability

Emphasizes the quality of being appropriate for a specific context or purpose, highlighting relevance and fitness.

opportunism

Highlights the act of taking advantage of opportunities as they arise, often without considering long-term consequences or ethical implications.

self-interest

Focuses on actions driven by personal gain or advantage, often prioritizing individual benefits over collective welfare.

self-seeking

Emphasizes the pursuit of personal desires and goals, often at the expense of others or ethical considerations.

convenience

Highlights the ease and comfort associated with a particular course of action, often prioritizing efficiency and minimal effort.

advantage

Stresses the beneficial aspects of a choice or action, highlighting its potential to provide a favorable outcome.

efficacy

Focuses on the ability to produce a desired result or effect, emphasizing effectiveness and efficiency.

resourcefulness

Emphasizes the ability to find clever ways to overcome difficulties or achieve goals, often involving ingenuity and adaptability.

pragmatism

Highlights a practical approach to problem-solving, focusing on real-world considerations and achievable outcomes.

FAQs

How is "expedience" typically used in a sentence?

"Expedience" is usually employed to describe actions or decisions based on practicality and achieving a desired outcome, sometimes at the expense of ethical considerations. For instance, 'The decision was made out of political "expedience" rather than principle'.

What are some alternatives to using "expedience"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "practicality", "convenience", or "opportunism" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say something is done out of "expedience"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. Saying something is done out of "expedience" means it was done because it was the most practical or advantageous way to achieve a particular goal at that time.

What is the difference between "expedience" and "expediency"?

While closely related, "expedience" generally refers to the quality of being suitable and effective for achieving a goal, whereas "expediency" often implies a focus on immediate advantage, possibly at the expense of ethical or long-term considerations.