extend a courtesy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "extend a courtesy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to express the act of offering a polite gesture or favor to someone. Example: "In order to maintain a good relationship, I would like to extend a courtesy by inviting you to our upcoming event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

When Warren Burger was chief justice in the 1970s and 1980s, a "join-3" tradition meant that a justice might extend a courtesy fourth vote to supplement those of three of his colleagues who wanted to hear a case.

The Economist

If you feel it was not a deliberate move, extend a courtesy you would appreciate in a similar position.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Steinbrenner extended a courtesy to McGriff, a Tampa, Fla., native, to work out the last two days at the Yankees' Tampa complex.

The New York Times - Sports

Both staffers and Capitol Hill police extended a courtesy and respect I hadn't come across anywhere else in the world -- and I've lived and worked all over the globe.

HuffPost

But unlike Central Park, which has no dog runs, Riverside Park has four, so it made little sense to extend a similar courtesy, he said.

The New York Times

Then, the Belgians announced that they too would extend a similar courtesy and invite the Austrian ambassador to their national day celebrations, on July 21.

The New York Times

"I urge the Iranian government to extend a similar courtesy to the dedicated UN special rapporteur for the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ahmed Shaheed, to enable him to address the international community's grave concerns about ongoing human rights violations within Iran".

The Guardian

* Alleged babydaddy Boris Johnson returned to Nick Ferrari's LBC studio this week to make his radio-presenting debut, hijacking Ferrari's breakfast show for an hour of Mayoral self-congratulation. (I hope the station will extend a similar courtesy to Johnson's electoral rivals, such as Ken Livingstone and Lembit Opik).

Independent

And the mayor, Ryan Schock, was simply extending a civic courtesy when he swung by the man's house to introduce himself.

The New York Times

The two week grace period that Boricuas For Positive Image (BFPI) had extended as a courtesy to ABC-TV for their efforts to schedule a meeting runs out on March 8th , 2012

Huffington Post

He said he would "extend the courtesy of a meeting" if a senator came to Scotland, but no more.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "extend a courtesy", ensure the context is appropriate for a formal or professional setting. This phrase is suitable for expressing deliberate acts of politeness or respect.

Common error

Avoid using "extend a courtesy" in casual conversations. Opt for more natural phrases like "be nice" or "show some respect" in informal settings to maintain a conversational tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "extend a courtesy" functions as a verb phrase, where "extend" is the verb and "a courtesy" is the direct object. It describes the action of offering politeness or consideration. As Ludwig AI shows, it is grammatically correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "extend a courtesy" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that describes the act of offering a polite gesture or special consideration. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that it is most commonly found in News & Media contexts. While not overly frequent, it serves as a formal way to express acts of politeness or respect. Best practices involve using it in formal or professional settings, while avoiding its use in casual conversations to maintain an appropriate tone. Alternatives include "offer a kindness" or "show consideration", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

offer a kindness

Focuses on the act of being kind, shifting from a formal courtesy to a more personal act of kindness.

grant a favor

Emphasizes the act of bestowing a favor, slightly altering the nuance from general courtesy to a specific act of assistance.

show consideration

Highlights the act of being considerate, focusing on thoughtfulness and empathy.

give an accommodation

Stresses providing accommodation, implying flexibility and willingness to adjust for someone's needs.

perform a polite act

Focuses on the action being polite, rather than the general concept of courtesy.

offer a civility

Highlights the act of being civil, especially important in public or professional settings.

bestow a politeness

Emphasizes the act of showing politeness, a slightly more formal and direct way of expressing courtesy.

demonstrate respect

Focuses on demonstrating respect, highlighting the importance of showing regard for someone's feelings or rights.

exercise goodwill

Emphasizes the act of showing goodwill, indicating a positive and friendly intention.

provide a nicety

Highlights the act of providing a nicety, often a small, pleasant gesture.

FAQs

How can I use "extend a courtesy" in a sentence?

You can use "extend a courtesy" to describe offering a polite gesture or special consideration. For example: "The company decided to "extend a courtesy" to long-term clients by offering them a discount."

What are some alternatives to "extend a courtesy"?

Some alternatives to "extend a courtesy" include phrases like "offer a kindness", "show consideration", or "grant a favor", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "extend a courtesy"?

The phrase "extend a courtesy" is best used in formal or professional contexts where you want to emphasize a deliberate act of politeness or respect. It's less suitable for casual or informal situations.

What does it mean to "extend a courtesy"?

To "extend a courtesy" means to offer a polite gesture, show consideration, or grant a favor as a matter of goodwill or professional etiquette. It implies a deliberate act of kindness or respect.