in gratuity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in gratuity" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to an act of kindness or generosity that is given without expecting anything in return. For example: "The family was so grateful for the free meal they received in gratuity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"It's an exercise in gratuity," Mr. Warner said.

The New York Times - Food

I was and am very grateful – indeed I gave him very nearly a pound in gratuity.

The Guardian

Food deliverers and wheelchair attendants at airports, for example, make $2.13 an hour but often receive only a pittance in gratuity.

The Guardian - Opinion

In effect, Vicenti's ephermal and gossamer-like collages display a skill for establishing balance, reigning in gratuity while still keeping the audience's eye.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Christopher Reynolds Insiderr column ("Built-In Gratuities: They Can Be a Rude Awakening," June 23) was enjoyable.

Los Angeles Times

He provided, or authorized payment of, $33,831 in gratuities to five KBR employees from 2002 to 2005.

The New York Times - Sports

In December these veterans were paid a handsome, and unbudgeted, Z$4.5 billion ($265m) in "gratuities"—a payment that is blamed for the economy's recent dip.

The Economist

That included a 50percentt single supplement, taxes and port fees, about $80 in gratuities, and another $80 or so for the outrageously expensive Wi-Fi.

The New York Times - Travel

Not a bad wage, until you consider that on an average shift, my tables were paying between £150 and £200 in gratuities.

The Guardian - Books

It explained that "countless laws and regulations... determine which positions in a restaurant may, and may not share in gratuities," with cooks, reservationists and dishwashers left out as a result, despite their vital contributions.

The Guardian

A17 NEW YORK/REGION B1-7 Rowland Pleads Guilty To Corruption Charge Former Gov. John G. Rowland unexpectedly pleaded guilty to a single federal charge of corruption in office, acknowledging that he had accepted $107,000 in gratuities and failed to pay taxes on them.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in gratuity", ensure the context clearly indicates that something is given freely as a token of appreciation or kindness. The term is less common than "as a tip" or "as a gift", so consider your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "in gratuity" when referring to mandatory service charges or expected tips. "Gratuity" implies a voluntary gesture, so ensure the context aligns with this meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in gratuity" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the manner in which an action is performed. It specifies that something is given or done as a free gift or token of appreciation, as supported by Ludwig's analysis.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in gratuity" is a grammatically correct, though infrequent, way to describe something given freely as a token of appreciation. Ludwig AI indicates that it primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to specify the manner of an action. While the term "gratuity" itself leans toward formal, the phrase maintains a neutral register and is most commonly found in news and media contexts. It's important to use this phrase when you want to emphasize the voluntary and appreciative nature of a gift or service, but be mindful that alternatives like "as a tip" or "as a gift" are more common and widely understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a gratuity

Rephrases the sentence to use "as" instead of "in".

by way of gratuity

Adds a more formal tone by using "by way of".

as a tip

Substitutes the more common term "tip" for "gratuity".

in the form of a gratuity

Specifies the manner of the gratuity.

by way of a tip

Replaces gratuity with tip for a simpler phrasing.

as a reward

Uses the word "reward" to describe a gratuity.

as a gift

Substitutes "gift" for "gratuity" to denote a present.

by means of a gift

Emphasizes the gift as a method of showing appreciation.

as a token of appreciation

Replaces "gratuity" with a more descriptive phrase for a more elaborate phrasing.

as a bonus

Substitutes "bonus" for "gratuity" to denote an extra payment.

FAQs

How can I use the phrase "in gratuity" in a sentence?

You can use "in gratuity" to describe something given freely as a token of appreciation. For instance, "The service was offered "as a gratuity" for their long-standing patronage".

What are some alternatives to saying "in gratuity"?

Some alternatives include "as a tip", "as a gift", or "as a token of appreciation", depending on the specific context.

Is it more common to say "in gratuity" or "as a gratuity"?

"As a gratuity" is generally more common and widely understood than "in gratuity". "In gratuity" is correct but less frequently used.

What's the difference between a "gratuity" and a "tip"?

While often used interchangeably, a "gratuity" can refer to any voluntary gift or token of appreciation, whereas a "tip" is usually specifically given for service. However, you can use "as a tip" rather than "in gratuity".