is selflessly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is selflessly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action done without selfish motives or for the benefit of others. Example: "She is selflessly volunteering her time to help those in need."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The 61-year-old junta boss has repeatedly complained that he didn't ask for the job of reforming democracy and that he is selflessly doing it for the nation.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It's about being selflessly in love.

The New York Times

He was selflessly philanthropic and had a strong sense of ethics.

The New York Times

His first love in life was his family, to whom he was selflessly devoted.

The New York Times

The rest had been selflessly distributed to his wife, six children, half-brother and grandsons in the form of licences and monopolies, usually handed out for nothing.

The Economist

But I wish we might learn a bit from the Japanese who right now are selflessly subsuming their own interests for the common good.

The New York Times

An avid tennis player, skier, reader of the New York Times and gardener, Bjorn's first love was his family to whom he was selflessly and tirelessly devoted.

The New York Times

Their concrete meal this time is being selflessly provided by the Yorkshire Post Building (YPB) on Wellington Street, which began its slow journey into their greedy mouths last week.

The Guardian

Needless to say, unlike human leaders, a well-programmed robot would be selflessly focused on advancing the interest of its team – that would be its only agenda.

The Guardian

The world's keenest philanthropists are selflessly lining up to cure all our ills from the safety of their bedrooms, armed only with a camera phone and a hashtag.

Independent

He tends to view human behavior as self-interested, driven by a Nietzschean will to power, but he runs an organization founded on the idea that individuals can be selflessly courageous.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is selflessly" when you want to emphasize that someone's actions are motivated purely by the desire to help others, without any expectation of personal gain.

Common error

Avoid using "is selflessly" to describe your own actions. Describing your own behavior as selfless can come across as boastful. Instead, let others recognize and describe your actions as such.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is selflessly" functions as an adverbial modifier within a sentence. It describes how an action is performed, emphasizing the selfless nature of the action. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is selflessly" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe actions performed without selfish motives. Ludwig highlights that it is relatively rare but appears in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the altruistic nature of the action you're describing, and avoid using it to describe your own deeds, as it may be perceived as boastful. Consider alternatives like "acts altruistically" or "behaves unselfishly" for variety and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is unselfish

Simple substitution of "selfless" with "unselfish".

behaves unselfishly

Highlights the lack of selfishness in the behavior.

acts altruistically

Emphasizes the altruistic nature of the action.

displays selflessness

Focuses on the demonstration of selflessness.

demonstrates a lack of selfishness

More descriptive, emphasizing the absence of selfish motives.

shows altruism

Highlights the display of altruistic qualities.

is altruistic

Highlights an altruistic quality.

prioritizes others

Focuses on the act of placing others first.

exhibits self-sacrifice

Highlights the element of sacrifice for others.

serves others without expecting reward

Emphasizes the lack of expectation of personal gain.

FAQs

How can I use "is selflessly" in a sentence?

You can use "is selflessly" to describe someone's actions as motivated by a desire to help others without expecting personal gain. For example, "He is selflessly dedicating his time to the community project".

What's the difference between "is selflessly" and "is generously"?

"Is selflessly" implies actions done without any thought for oneself, focusing on others' needs. "Is generously", on the other hand, suggests giving freely and abundantly, often involving resources or possessions.

Are there alternatives to saying someone "is selflessly" working?

Yes, you could say they "are working altruistically", "are working unselfishly", or "are working for the common good".

When is it appropriate to use "is selflessly"?

Use "is selflessly" when you want to highlight the altruistic nature of someone's actions, emphasizing that they are acting without any selfish motives.