honourable colleagues

USAGE SUMMARY

"honourable colleagues" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used in formal written correspondence between colleagues, such as in letters and emails. For example: "I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to my honourable colleagues for their hard work and dedication to the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I have the same problem with the NUJ, of which I'm a member, happy to stand shoulder to shoulder with honourable colleagues in the Guardian, the Independent, the FT or the Mirror, but with not much in common with the rest.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Mr. Director-General for External Resources of the Ministry of International Cooperation,  ��� distinguished representatives of the Government of National Unity, UNICEF colleagues, honourable friends from Sudanese civil society, ladies and gentlemen.

Unicef

With honourable exceptions, their old colleagues reserve a special venom for them.

The Guardian

Arguing that it had taken too long for the bill to be passed, Honourable Mkhonta persuaded his colleagues to pass the bill without fear, as he assured that it would take the country forward in its pursuit of children and women's rights.

Unicef

So it is at this point, where I will be honourable and credit a colleague who I think has a money-spinning idea here.

The Guardian

Honourable mentions go to BBC colleagues @clarebalding1 and @pearcesport and @corrie_corfield - the first two for their brilliance at communicating their expertise, the Radio 4 newsreader for her sheer delight about every aspect of the games.

BBC

When Ron Davies, a member who is also a British MP, referred to a colleague as "my honourable friend", the term used in the Westminster parliament, he was sternly rebuked by the Presiding Officer, Lord Elis-Thomas.

The Economist

Rea, who was in the running for an Oscar with The Crying Game, plays Hugh Hayden-Hoyle - a top MI6 spy on the verge of retirement, who is digging into the family of his colleague Nessa Stein (the honourable woman of the title, played by Gyllenhaal).

Independent

This Heraclides was one of those whom Dionysius had banished, a very good soldier, and well known for the commands he had formerly had under the tyrant; yet a man of no constant purpose, of a fickle temper, and least of all to be relied upon when he had to act with a colleague in any honourable command.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Abetz last week suggested that frontbench colleagues should take "the honourable course of action" and quit their leadership positions if they were unable to support the Liberal party's "long-established policy" of upholding marriage between a man and a woman.

The Guardian

Former party colleague John McCallister described it as an "honourable decision".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "honourable colleagues" in formal settings, such as addressing a professional audience or in official correspondence, to convey respect and acknowledgment of their integrity and contributions.

Common error

Avoid using "honourable colleagues" in casual conversations or informal emails, as it can sound overly formal or even sarcastic. Opt for simpler terms like "team" or "everyone" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "honourable colleagues" functions as a form of formal address or reference to a group of peers. It expresses respect and acknowledges the integrity of those being addressed. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in formal written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "honourable colleagues" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in formal English, predominantly used to convey respect and acknowledgment within professional settings. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is suitable for official communications and presentations. While examples are relatively rare, the phrase appears across various contexts, including news media, formal business settings, and academic discourse. Alternative phrases such as "esteemed associates" or "respected peers" offer similar meanings with slight variations in formality. When employing this phrase, it's important to consider the context, avoiding its use in informal settings where it may sound overly formal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

esteemed associates

Replaces "colleagues" with "associates", implying a professional relationship, and "honourable" with "esteemed", suggesting high regard.

admirable associates

Substitutes "honourable" with "admirable", focusing on qualities that inspire admiration.

respected peers

Substitutes "colleagues" with "peers", indicating those at a similar level, and "honourable" with "respected", emphasizing admiration.

esteemed professionals

Highlights the professional standing and high regard of the colleagues.

respected co-workers

A more direct and straightforward alternative, focusing on professional respect.

distinguished fellows

Replaces "colleagues" with "fellows", often used in academic or professional societies, and "honourable" with "distinguished", highlighting notable achievements.

valued teammates

Emphasizes the importance of teamwork and the value placed on colleagues.

honored collaborators

Focuses on the collaborative aspect and the honor associated with working together.

venerable members

Substitutes "colleagues" with "members", referring to a group, and "honourable" with "venerable", suggesting deep respect due to age or experience.

worthy comrades

Replaces "colleagues" with "comrades", implying a shared struggle or purpose, and "honourable" with "worthy", denoting merit and integrity.

FAQs

How can I use "honourable colleagues" in a sentence?

You can use "honourable colleagues" to address a group of respected peers, such as in the sentence, "I extend my gratitude to my honourable colleagues for their contributions to this project."

What are some alternatives to "honourable colleagues"?

Alternatives include "esteemed associates", "respected peers", or "distinguished fellows", depending on the context and level of formality you wish to convey.

Is "honourable colleagues" appropriate for informal communication?

While grammatically correct, "honourable colleagues" is generally too formal for informal communication. Simpler terms like "team" or "everyone" are more suitable for casual settings.

What distinguishes "honourable colleagues" from "respected colleagues"?

"Honourable" implies a strong sense of integrity and ethical conduct, while "respected" simply indicates admiration and high regard. "Honourable colleagues" emphasizes their moral character, whereas "respected colleagues" focuses on their professional achievements or standing.