gratuitous statement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gratuitous statement" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a remark or comment that is unnecessary or unwarranted in a given context. Example: "His gratuitous statement about the weather during the serious discussion was met with eye rolls from the audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Mr. Dodd spoke with barely concealed anger at what he called a "really gratuitous" statement delivered by what he had presumed was a sympathetic administration, which came after the blocking provisions had effectively been killed in Congress.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

I hope that his lectures at Princeton are less peppered with such gratuitous statements.

The New York Times

Only the questions and the gratuitous statements serve the purpose.

Huffington Post

Their observable behavior, however, contradicts any such gratuitous statements.

Huffington Post

The danger is that if and when these arguments need to be presented in a legal context, those who must make the important decisions -- prosecutors, investigators, judges, jurors, political figures and ultimately the general public -- may be prejudiced by the kinds of gratuitous statements made by former President George W. Bush and other past and current political figures.

Huffington Post

-- sex scenes being referred to as some kind of gratuitous political statement (or a "lifestyle") because your kisses and -- sweet baby Jesus help us!

Huffington Post

Nonetheless, Justices Ginsburg and Breyer are savvy players, and their statement, gratuitous as a legal matter, has to be taken as strategic.

The New York Times

Voters with their children watching are repeatedly bombarded by gratuitous and offensive statements against women for which he refuses to apologize as more women bravely step forward to tell their stories of sexual assault and degradation.

Huffington Post

And so, in place of the requisite (read terminal) red carpet procession of boring but nice, retro, strapless, corseted, fishtail-hemmed gowns in polite shades of beige, came that Cannes heritage fashion statement, the gratuitous flashing of flesh – courtesy of everyone from model Eva Herzigova who has very long legs to Cheryl Cole whose décolletage was certainly striking.

Independent

"Police have been seen attacking bystanders, charging into houses, engaging in indiscriminate beatings and causing some gratuitous damage to property," the statement read.

The New York Times

Marci Shore, in an otherwise powerful and persuasive article about the Warsaw Ghetto uprising, concludes with a gratuitous reference to Zionism, a statement whose validity is belied by the rest of the article.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gratuitous statement" when you want to convey not only that a statement was unnecessary, but also that it might have been deliberately excessive or inappropriate.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "gratuitous statement" in formal or academic writing where more neutral or precise language might be more appropriate. Consider alternatives like "unnecessary comment" or "irrelevant remark" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gratuitous statement" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "gratuitous" modifies the noun "statement". It describes a statement characterized by being uncalled for or unnecessary. As Ludwig AI describes, the phrase is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gratuitous statement" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe an unnecessary or unwarranted remark, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is most frequently found in News & Media contexts. While grammatically correct, it's important to ensure that the context genuinely supports the claim that the statement was indeed gratuitous. Alternatives such as "unnecessary comment" or "unwarranted remark" can be used for similar effect. This guide offers practical tips for effective usage and helps avoid common pitfalls, making it a valuable resource for writers aiming for clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unnecessary comment

Replaces "gratuitous" with "unnecessary", focusing on the lack of need for the statement.

unwarranted remark

Substitutes "gratuitous" with "unwarranted", highlighting that the statement is unjustified.

needless assertion

Emphasizes the lack of requirement for the statement, using "needless" as a replacement.

superfluous declaration

Replaces both words for a more formal tone, conveying that the statement is extra and not needed.

redundant pronouncement

Highlights that the statement repeats something already known, making it unnecessary.

pointless remark

Focuses on the lack of purpose or value in the statement, using "pointless" as a substitute.

uncalled-for comment

Indicates the statement was inappropriate or not suitable for the situation.

otiose statement

Uses a more obscure word to convey the idea that the statement is serving no practical purpose.

extraneous remark

Suggests that the statement is not relevant or essential to the matter at hand.

inappropriate comment

Suggests that the statement is improper and should not have been made in a situation.

FAQs

How can I use "gratuitous statement" in a sentence?

You can use "gratuitous statement" to describe a remark or comment that is unnecessary or unwarranted in a given context. For example: "His "gratuitous statement" about the weather during the serious discussion was met with eye rolls from the audience."

What can I say instead of "gratuitous statement"?

You can use alternatives like "unnecessary comment", "unwarranted remark", or "pointless remark" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "gratuitous statement" or "gratuitous comment"?

Both ""gratuitous statement"" and "gratuitous comment" are grammatically correct and usable. The choice between them depends on the specific nuance you want to convey, as "statement" typically implies a more formal declaration.

What is the difference between "gratuitous statement" and "offensive statement"?

"Gratuitous statement" implies that a statement is unnecessary or uncalled for, while "offensive statement" means that a statement is likely to insult or cause upset. A statement can be both gratuitous and offensive, but these are distinct qualities.