in the interest of civility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in the interest of civility" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the importance of maintaining politeness or decorum in a conversation or situation. Example: "In the interest of civility, I would like to ask everyone to refrain from personal attacks during the debate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It might be that, in the interest of civility and electoral prudence, neither Obama nor Romney can initiate a conversation about what it means to be Mormon in this country.

The New Yorker

I had already given up the battle in the interest of civility.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

In the interests of civility and uniformity, the music world has long since agreed that the note A equals 440 cycles per second.

The New York Times - Arts

The net result is that, in the interest of our personal civility or comfort levels, our community's or country's overall civility gets trashed.

HuffPost

Pointing out the lies and slander of the FRC and some of its friends in the interest of attempting to bring some measure of civility to our political dialogue is not remotely the same as promulgating those lies.

Huffington Post

Co-sponsored by the Data and Democracy Initiative at the Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society, the Berkeley Center for New Media, the Center on Civility and Democratic Engagement, and the School of Information.

University of California, Berkeley

Tomorrow night John Stossel, ABC's scourge of the left, goes after what he considers constraints on free speech in the claimed interests of civility.

The New York Times - Arts

In America, civility is in the sewer, yet most of us stand by in the interest of getting on with our lives.

HuffPost

The book contains one gesture in the direction of civility.

The Guardian - Books

— President Obama "Soon a fresh water salmon will sit next to a salt water salmon in the spirit of civility".

The New Yorker

This is not a very comforting possibility in the maintenance of civility in our society.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in the interest of civility" to introduce a suggestion or request aimed at maintaining a polite and respectful atmosphere, especially in potentially contentious situations.

Common error

Avoid using "in the interest of civility" as a justification for suppressing dissenting opinions or avoiding difficult conversations. Civility should enhance, not hinder, genuine dialogue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the interest of civility" functions as a prepositional phrase, often used to introduce a suggestion, request, or justification aimed at maintaining politeness and respect in a discussion or situation. Ludwig provides examples where it's used to promote dialogue and electoral prudence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in the interest of civility" is a grammatically correct and relatively uncommon prepositional phrase used to advocate for politeness and respectful communication. As noted by Ludwig, it often appears in news media and academic contexts. While advocating for civility, it's crucial to avoid misusing the phrase to suppress dissenting opinions or difficult conversations. Alternatives include phrases such as "for the sake of politeness" or "to promote respectful dialogue". Remember, the goal is to foster genuine and respectful interaction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for the sake of politeness

Emphasizes politeness as the primary reason for action.

to promote respectful dialogue

Focuses on encouraging respectful communication.

in the spirit of decorum

Highlights the importance of proper behavior and etiquette.

with due regard to courtesy

Stresses the consideration given to being courteous.

to maintain a civil discourse

Emphasizes keeping the conversation polite and respectful.

in deference to civility

Highlights yielding to the requirements of politeness.

to foster amicable relations

Focuses on nurturing friendly relationships through civility.

for the purpose of harmony

Indicates the goal of creating a harmonious environment.

out of consideration for others

Highlights the thoughtfulness behind being civil.

to encourage mutual respect

Focuses on fostering respect between individuals.

FAQs

How can I use "in the interest of civility" in a sentence?

You can use "in the interest of civility" to introduce a suggestion or request aimed at maintaining a polite and respectful atmosphere. For instance, "In the interest of civility, let's hear all sides of the argument before making a decision."

What phrases are similar to "in the interest of civility"?

Similar phrases include "for the sake of politeness", "to promote respectful dialogue", or "in the spirit of decorum".

Is it correct to say "in the interest of civility"?

Yes, "in the interest of civility" is a correct and usable phrase in written English. It's used to emphasize the importance of maintaining politeness or decorum in a given situation.

What is the difference between "in the interest of civility" and "for the sake of civility"?

While both phrases are similar, "in the interest of civility" often implies a more proactive approach toward maintaining a respectful environment, whereas "for the sake of civility" might be used more reactively, to prevent a situation from becoming uncivil.