have the decency

USAGE SUMMARY

"have the decency" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to express that someone should act in a polite, respectful, or morally upright manner. Example: "After making a mistake, she should have had the decency to apologize instead of trying to shift the blame onto someone else."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

But he should have the decency to leave".

The Economist

Shouldn't Kate Moss have the decency to decompose?

The New Yorker

They didn't even have the decency to blush.

The New York Times - Food

They didn't even have the decency to mention our names.

The New York Times - Arts

And he did not even have the decency to admit his guilt.

The New Yorker

Then again, I did not have the decency to put on real clothes today.

Independent

Strauss-Kahn "should have the decency to shut up," Sarkozy told Le Parisien.

The New York Times

"Why didn't he have the decency to call and tell me?" he said.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

He simply had the decency to take them seriously.

The Economist

"Well," he replied, "I had the decency not to look".

The New Yorker

But I had the decency not to kill other people".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have the decency", ensure that the context clearly establishes the expected behavior or standard being referenced. This provides clarity and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "have the decency" in situations where a more forceful expression of moral outrage or condemnation is warranted. Decency implies a basic level of respect, not necessarily a profound ethical failing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have the decency" functions as a moral imperative or an expression of expectation. It suggests a minimum level of acceptable behavior and implies disapproval when that standard is not met. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use in expressing expected conduct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have the decency" is a commonly used expression to indicate a basic expectation of polite, respectful, or morally upright behavior. Grammatically correct and frequent in News & Media contexts, it conveys disapproval when this expectation is not met. As Ludwig AI points out, numerous real-world examples demonstrate its widespread usage. Alternatives include "show some respect" or "be considerate", although each carries slight nuances. When using the phrase, ensure that the context clearly defines the expected standard. Avoid overstating the expectation in situations requiring stronger condemnation. The phrase is a versatile tool for expressing ethical judgments in various situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have the courtesy

Focuses specifically on polite and respectful behavior, a subset of the broader concept of decency.

show some respect

Focuses more directly on displaying respect, whereas "have the decency" can imply a broader range of considerate actions.

demonstrate basic respect

Similar to "show some respect", it is a more direct synonym that centers on demonstrating respect towards someone or something.

be considerate

Highlights the act of being thoughtful and caring towards others, differing slightly from the expectation implied by "have the decency".

act responsibly

Emphasizes accountability and mature behavior, whereas "have the decency" focuses more on basic politeness or moral obligation.

behave appropriately

Stresses proper conduct in a given situation, while "have the decency" implies a minimum standard of acceptable behavior.

display good manners

A narrower concept focused on etiquette and social grace, rather than the broader ethical considerations implied by "have the decency".

do the right thing

Implies a moral imperative, which may be stronger than the expectation of simple decency.

possess some moral fiber

This phrase suggests a deeper sense of moral character, whereas "have the decency" can simply indicate a surface-level expectation of good behavior.

exercise common sense

Emphasizes practical judgment and sensible decision-making, which can differ from acting with decency.

FAQs

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

You can use "have the decency" to express that someone should act in a polite, respectful, or morally upright manner. For example, "After making a mistake, she should "have the decency" to apologize".

What does it mean to "have the decency" to do something?

To "have the decency" to do something means to possess the minimum level of politeness, respect, or moral integrity required to act appropriately in a given situation. It implies an expectation of considerate behavior.

Which is correct, "have the decency to" or "has the decency to"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "have the decency to" with plural subjects (e.g., "They should "have the decency" to admit their mistakes") and "has the decency to" with singular subjects (e.g., "He doesn't "have the decency" to respond").

What are some alternatives to "have the decency"?

Alternatives to "have the decency" include "show some respect", "be considerate", or "behave appropriately", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.