grave man

USAGE SUMMARY

'grave man' is not correct in written English.
To make it correct, you would have to use the word 'grave' as an adjective, such as in the phrase 'grave man.' For example, you could say, "He was a grave man, with a solemn demeanor."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The whine about Muslims makes the grave man sound like a complaining, selfish child whose toy is not as big as the one given to the boy next door.

Independent

Yet the poet is guilty less of punning than wordplay, which Elizabethan taste considered more a sign of literary refinement than humor; hence "puns" in seemingly inappropriate places, like a dying Mercutio's "Ask for me tomorrow, and you shall find me a grave man".

The New York Times

It's sad, friends, but true, and this watch wants to remind you that soon you'll be a grave man or woman.

TechCrunch

Shakespeare's "Ask for me tomorrow and you shall find me a grave man" (Romeo and Juliet, Act III, Scene 1 line 97 98) plays cleverly on the double meaning of 'grave'grave

SEP

Even Mercutio, after he was stabbed, found time to squeeze out a groaner: "Ask for me tomorrow and you shall find me a grave man".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

As in Dylan Thomas's poem, the wise men and the grave men have raged against the dying of the light, but their struggles have come to naught.

The Economist

This is ironic, because America has been one of the grave men pushing hard to revive Doha after the round's first collapse at Cancún in 2003.

The Economist

As Mr. Odeh's body was lowered into the grave, men on rooftops fired rifles into the air, punctuating patriotic eulogies with ringing shots and bursts of automatic fire.

The New York Times

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay, Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wikipedia

In Thomas' poem, the speaker discusses different descriptions of "men" in the middle stanzas, the "Good men", the "Wild men", and the "Grave men".

WikiHow

The Jesuit priest John Gerard described Keyes as "a grave and sober man, and of great wit and sufficiency".

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone as "grave", consider if a more precise adjective like 'solemn', 'serious', or 'dignified' better captures the intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid directly using "grave" before "man" when you intend to describe someone's character. Instead, use a grammatically correct alternative or rephrase the sentence. For example use 'a solemn man' instead of "grave man".

Linguistic Context

Attributive. The phrase "grave man" functions as an adjective-noun combination, attempting to describe a man's serious or solemn nature. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is not always grammatically sound. Examples, however, use it for both literal and figurative descriptions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while "grave man" appears in various sources, it is not always grammatically correct and may be better replaced by alternatives like "solemn man" or "serious gentleman". As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase often functions as a descriptor but can also be used for wordplay. Its usage spans neutral to informal registers, with common appearances in news, media, and scientific contexts. Therefore, consider the context and intended meaning when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

solemn individual

Replaces "grave" with "solemn", emphasizing the person's serious and dignified nature.

serious gentleman

Substitutes "grave" with "serious" and "man" with "gentleman", adding a touch of formality.

weighty figure

Uses "weighty" to suggest importance and influence, instead of just seriousness.

earnest person

Replaces "grave" with "earnest", highlighting the person's sincerity and dedication.

dignified character

Focuses on the person's noble and composed demeanor, shifting the emphasis from seriousness to respectability.

somber fellow

Emphasizes the person's subdued and melancholic nature, using "somber" as an alternative to "grave".

austere man

Highlights the person's strict and self-disciplined nature, using "austere" as a more intense synonym for "grave".

important man

Shifts the focus to the man's significance or influence, rather than his demeanor.

man of consequence

Highlights the man's importance and influence in a more formal manner.

man of gravity

Uses "gravity" as a noun to convey the sense of seriousness and importance associated with the man.

FAQs

What does "grave man" mean?

The phrase "grave man" is generally interpreted as a serious or solemn man. However, it's not always grammatically correct. It sometimes appears as a pun or wordplay referencing both seriousness and death.

How can I use "grave man" correctly in a sentence?

While not always grammatically standard, you can use "grave man" in contexts where 'grave' serves as an adjective describing the man's serious demeanor. However, consider using alternatives like "solemn individual" or "serious gentleman" for better clarity.

What are some alternatives to "grave man"?

Alternatives include "solemn individual", "serious gentleman", "weighty figure", or "earnest person", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "grave man" formal or informal?

The phrase "grave man" leans towards informal usage, especially when employed for wordplay or punning. For formal contexts, consider more precise and grammatically standard alternatives.