for your goodness

USAGE SUMMARY

"for your goodness" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when expressing appreciation for an act of kindness. For example, "Thank you for your goodness in helping me out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Then, addressing him directly, she said: "Only God can repay you for your goodness.

The New York Times

1. Do not be a burden to others 2. Take care of others 3. Do not expect rewards for your goodness.

Huffington Post

Be a good and an honest person so that everyone including the teachers know you for your goodness, rather than for being one of the crowd.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The sun rose and set on them for you and your goodness will live on in them always.

The New York Times

This massive display probably will not be available for your purchase but my goodness, wouldn't GOW2 be sweet on it.

TechCrunch

Repeat until you have enough garlicky goodness for your recipe.

Huffington Post

You would have to lie back, hitch up your dress, close your eyes, for goodness' sake, and instinctively clench.

The New Yorker

Thank goodness (again!) for your crisp, clean word pictures".

The Guardian - Sport

If you're heading to remote climes and have to rely on the sun for your daily diet of iPod goodness, you'd be hard pressed to go past the Solio.

Independent

The Spyder overall a two-seat, 138-hp mid-engine roadster is a well-balanced machine with terrific acceleration (0 to 60 in about seven seconds), astonishingly good brakes and steering so precise that if you closed your eyes powering out of a tight corner you'd swear you were driving an open-wheel race car (don't close your eyes, for goodness' sake!).

Forbes

If you like your heels for goodness sake wear them and be happy.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "for your goodness", ensure the context clearly indicates appreciation for a specific act or quality. Avoid using it in situations where a more direct expression of gratitude would be more appropriate.

Common error

Be cautious of using "for your goodness" in informal settings or casual conversations, as it may sound overly formal or even sarcastic. Opt for simpler expressions of thanks like "thank you" or "that's kind of you" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for your goodness" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to express gratitude or appreciation for someone's positive qualities or actions. It specifies the reason or basis for the gratitude being expressed, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "for your goodness" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express gratitude, though Ludwig indicates it is relatively infrequent. Its usage leans towards formal contexts such as news and media, where a sincere and respectful tone is desired. While correct, it's important to consider the setting, as more direct expressions of thanks may be more appropriate in casual conversation. Alternatives like "for your kindness" or "for your generosity" offer similar sentiments with potentially broader applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for your kindness

Replaces "goodness" with a more common synonym, focusing on the quality of being kind.

for your benevolence

Substitutes "goodness" with a more formal term, highlighting acts of charity and generosity.

for your generosity

Focuses specifically on the act of giving or sharing abundantly.

in appreciation of your goodness

Adds a phrase to explicitly state the feeling of appreciation.

thank you for being so good

Rephrases the expression as a direct thank you, emphasizing the quality of being good.

for all the good you've done

Focuses on the actions performed rather than the inherent quality.

for your virtuous nature

Highlights the inherent moral excellence of the person.

because of your good heart

Emphasizes the emotional and compassionate aspect of the person's character.

owing to your moral character

Uses a more formal tone to acknowledge the person's ethical principles.

for your ethical conduct

Specifically refers to the person's behavior in accordance with moral principles.

FAQs

How can I use "for your goodness" in a sentence?

You can use "for your goodness" to express gratitude, as in "Only God can repay you "for your goodness"." It is suitable for expressing thanks for acts of kindness or moral behavior.

What are some alternatives to saying "for your goodness"?

Alternatives include "for your kindness", "for your generosity", or simply "thank you", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "for your goodness" appropriate for everyday conversation?

While grammatically correct, "for your goodness" is more formal and less common in everyday conversation. Simpler expressions of gratitude are usually preferred in informal settings.

What is the difference between "for your goodness" and "for your kindness"?

While similar, "goodness" encompasses a broader sense of moral excellence, while "for your kindness" specifically refers to acts of being friendly, generous, or considerate.