extol the virtues of

USAGE SUMMARY

"extol the virtues of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to praise or speak highly of the good qualities or merits of something or someone. Example: During his campaign speech, the politician was quick to extol the virtues of his proposed policies, promising a brighter future for his constituents.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You extol the virtues of religious "tolerance".

The New York Times

Everywhere I go I extol the virtues of that car.

The New York Times

We both extol the virtues of APEC as a force for proper trade policies.

The Economist

And need we extol the virtues of a good avocado mash seasoned with lime and salt?

The Washington Post

No butcher is going to extol the virtues of a veggie burger, after all.

The Guardian - Opinion

Other songs extol the virtues of rushing a relationship to the next level.

The Guardian - Music

The press (including The Guardian) could stop trying to extol the virtues of rural beauty spots.

The Guardian

Even our chefs extol the virtues of home-grown breeds and varieties of fruit and vegetables.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Students study English from Soviet-era texts that extol the virtues of Marxism and Leninism.

The New York Times

Amid hard economic choices, few now extol the virtues of small classes and individual tuition.

The Guardian

There is no way I could extol the virtues of Steven Gerrard and do him justice".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "extol the virtues of", ensure that you provide specific examples or evidence to support your praise, making your endorsement more convincing.

Common error

Avoid overusing "extol the virtues of" in your writing. Variety in language keeps the reader engaged, so consider using synonyms like "praise the merits of" or "champion the benefits of" to add nuance and prevent repetition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "extol the virtues of" functions as a verb phrase used to express strong praise or commendation for something. As seen in Ludwig, it's often used in formal writing and speeches to highlight positive attributes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "extol the virtues of" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to convey strong praise or commendation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for formal writing, speeches, and persuasive content, highlighting positive attributes. While versatile, alternatives like "praise the merits of" or "champion the benefits of" can add variety. Remember to use specific examples to strengthen the impact of your endorsement. Predominantly featured in News & Media and Academic sources, this phrase enhances communication across various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

praise the merits of

Focuses on praising specific qualities or accomplishments.

champion the benefits of

Suggests active support and promotion of advantages.

advocate the strengths of

Emphasizes recommending based on inherent capabilities.

laud the advantages of

Highlights praising the positive aspects or superior qualities.

promote the value of

Focuses on increasing awareness and acceptance of worth.

sing the praises of

A more figurative way to express enthusiastic approval.

hail the importance of

Highlights acknowledging the significance or crucial nature.

commend the excellence of

Focuses on praising high quality or outstanding performance.

tout the attributes of

Emphasizes advertising or promoting specific characteristics.

wax lyrical about the good points of

Suggests becoming very enthusiastic and expressive in praise.

FAQs

How can I use "extol the virtues of" in a sentence?

You can use "extol the virtues of" to praise or commend something. For example, "The article "extolled the virtues of" a plant-based diet".

What are some alternatives to "extol the virtues of"?

Some alternatives include "praise the merits of", "champion the benefits of", or "advocate the strengths of depending on the context".

Is it better to "extol the virtues of" or simply "praise" something?

"Extol the virtues of" implies a more enthusiastic and detailed endorsement than simply "praise". It suggests highlighting specific positive qualities or benefits.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "extol the virtues of"?

It is appropriate in formal writing, speeches, and persuasive content where you aim to emphasize the positive aspects of a subject. It may be less suitable for casual conversation.