how virtuous is that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "how virtuous is that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express admiration or sarcasm regarding someone's actions or behavior, questioning the morality or righteousness of a situation. Example: "He claims to be helping the less fortunate, but how virtuous is that when he benefits from their misfortune?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

How virtuous is that!

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

How virtuous is the Virtus fund?

The New York Times

The sketchy answer he gives in Book I is that happiness consists in virtuous activity.

SEP

Indeed, some of them are not even sure that virtuous is what they want to be.

The New York Times - Magazine

It is a pity that New Yorkers have to find a new whipping boy to show the world how virtuous they are.

The New York Times

CEOs and generals write memoirs to tell you how virtuous they were.

Forbes

How virtuous you are to harness the pristine sun, while they still patronize the grubby burners of coal.

Forbes

It must be that unmentionable characteristic for a virtuous woman of the day: sexual desire.

The New York Times - Books

Was that meant to make the Mail seem more virtuous?

The Guardian

How virtuous can we be?

Huffington Post

The conclusion is that virtuous initiatives by the discipline are probably not enough, if meant as solely specialised acts.

City, Territory and Architecture

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "how virtuous is that" to express skepticism or admiration depending on context. It can be used sarcastically to question the genuine morality of an action, or genuinely to praise it.

Common error

Avoid using "how virtuous is that" without considering the potential for misinterpretation. In many contexts, it can sound sarcastic even when genuine praise is intended. Clarify your intention to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how virtuous is that" functions as an interrogative clause expressing a judgment or questioning attitude towards the virtue of something. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct. It can be a sincere inquiry or a sarcastic remark, depending on context.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "how virtuous is that" serves as a versatile interrogative, capable of expressing both genuine admiration and critical skepticism regarding the morality of an action or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, while its presence in diverse sources such as news media and academic texts suggests broad applicability. When using this phrase, be mindful of potential tonal ambiguity. It’s often used sarcastically, which can be easily misinterpreted if sincerity is the intent. To avoid confusion, ensure the context clearly signals whether you are offering praise or expressing doubt.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how moral is that

Replaces "virtuous" with "moral", focusing on the ethical aspect.

how righteous is that

Substitutes "virtuous" with "righteous", emphasizing moral uprightness and justification.

how ethical is that

Replaces "virtuous" with "ethical", concentrating on adherence to moral principles.

how principled is that

Substitutes "virtuous" with "principled", underlining adherence to strong moral guidelines.

how virtuous can that be

Adds "can that be" for a slightly more questioning tone.

how noble is that

Replaces "virtuous" with "noble", highlighting the admirable and selfless nature of the action.

to what extent is that virtuous

Rephrases the question to focus on the degree of virtue.

is that really so virtuous

Adds emphasis on whether the action is truly virtuous.

how purportedly virtuous is that

Adds "purportedly" to suggest the virtue might be questionable or superficial.

how ostensibly virtuous is that

Uses "ostensibly" to imply the virtue is merely apparent.

FAQs

How can I use "how virtuous is that" in a sentence?

You can use "how virtuous is that" to express either genuine admiration or sarcastic doubt about the morality or righteousness of a situation. For example, "He claims to be helping the poor, but how virtuous is that when he profits from it?"

What phrases are similar to "how virtuous is that"?

Alternatives include phrases like "how moral is that", "how righteous is that", or "how ethical is that", each emphasizing different aspects of morality and ethics.

Is "how virtuous is that" always a sincere question?

No, "how virtuous is that" is often used sarcastically to question the genuine morality of an action. The tone and context determine whether it is a sincere inquiry or a cynical remark.

What's the difference between "how virtuous is that" and "is that virtuous"?

"How virtuous is that" implies a judgment or reaction to a specific action or claim of virtue, whereas "is that virtuous" is a more direct, open-ended question about whether something aligns with moral principles.