have some decency

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'have some decency' is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to express disapproval or to advise someone to have a sense of propriety. For example: "It was wrong of him to betray his friend's trust; he should have some decency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Have some decency.

Independent

For the love of God, have some decency and say "it'll be a tight fit, but our bodies are capable of great things!" Right now you have a vaginus.

Huffington Post

Have some decency and respect towards the other person.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Men that still have some moral decency and know how to treat and talk to a woman.

Huffington Post

I know we will never go back to the way things were but we really need to demand of at least our mainstream media that they have some sense of decency and accuracy and make the effort to differentiate between news and opinion.

Huffington Post

"Most people have got some decency in them, apart from judges and lawyers," he said.

Independent

Leave such important issues to those who have some sense of ethics and decency.

Huffington Post

Yet he has some vestiges of decency.

The New York Times - Arts

Even now, with everything we know, it is strangely tempting to believe at least one of the group had some sense of decency, that not all four were equally and entirely wicked.

Vice

In the crunch of the recession, if Congress lacks the guts to meet vital needs with deficit financing, it should have the decency to chisel some less-humane program than food stamps.

The New York Times

At least some porn sites have the decency to make kids do a little "what year were you born" math before seeing this kind of stuff.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have some decency" when directly addressing someone whose behavior is offensive or disrespectful. It's a way to express disapproval and urge them to act more appropriately.

Common error

Avoid using "have some decency" in formal or professional contexts like business meetings or academic papers. It's a direct and somewhat accusatory phrase that can come across as unprofessional. Opt for more polite and indirect language to express your disapproval.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have some decency" functions as an imperative, directly urging or advising someone to exhibit a greater degree of morality and respect. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. The examples show it being used to express disapproval.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have some decency" is a grammatically sound phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, used to express disapproval and urge more considerate behavior. While relatively infrequent in written sources, it's most commonly found in news and wiki contexts, suggesting a somewhat informal to neutral register. Remember, using this phrase directly addresses another person to make them reflect on their actions. When in doubt, consider context and relationship when asking someone to "have some decency".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

show some respect

Emphasizes the lack of respect being shown, focusing on courteous behavior.

conduct yourself decently

Focuses on maintaining appropriate and respectable behavior.

display some tact

Highlights the need for sensitivity and thoughtfulness in dealing with a delicate situation.

be more respectful

A direct request to show greater respect towards others.

act with propriety

Focuses on adhering to socially accepted standards of behavior and good manners.

exercise restraint

Stresses the importance of controlling one's impulses or emotions to avoid causing offense.

demonstrate consideration

Highlights the lack of thought and care for the feelings of others.

possess some scruples

Implies that the person lacks moral principles that should prevent them from acting wrongly.

have a sense of shame

Suggests that the person should feel ashamed of their actions.

consider the impact

Implies that one should think on how their actions might affect other people.

FAQs

How can I use "have some decency" in a sentence?

You can use "have some decency" when you want to express that someone's behavior is inappropriate or lacks respect. For example, "Have some decency and don't interrupt when someone is speaking."

What's a more formal way to say "have some decency"?

In more formal settings, consider phrases like "please show some respect" or "it would be appreciated if you could exercise more restraint".

When is it appropriate to use "have some decency"?

It's appropriate to use "have some decency" in situations where someone's behavior is clearly offensive, disrespectful, or lacking in basic consideration for others. However, be mindful of the context and relationship with the person, as it can be a confrontational phrase.

Is "have some decency" the same as "show some respect"?

While both phrases convey disapproval of someone's behavior, "show some respect" specifically emphasizes a lack of respect, whereas "have some decency" implies a broader lack of moral or ethical behavior.