it would only be right

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it would only be right" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a sense of fairness or justice regarding a situation or action that should be taken. Example: "Given all the hard work she has put in, it would only be right to give her a promotion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Victims say it would only be right.

The Economist

"It would only be right and expected," he says.

Independent

"It would only be right that people still go at him.

The New York Times - Sports

It would only be right to call him up to take responsibility for that – as well as George W Bush – in front of an international court".

The Guardian

It would only be right and proper for a review to be carried out to see whether it is possible to give the plaintiffs financial support to pursue their action".

The Guardian

It's clearly going to be a protracted legal battle, but we think it would only be right to let another set of plaintiffs stake their claim to the treasure, too: Spain's former colonies in Latin America, where the loot was looted in the first place.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

A loud button-down shirt with an eye-searing print of orange and red flowers ($49.99) would only be right for the brilliant, queeny comedian Paul Lynde if he were still alive.

The New York Times

In all cases performance is significantly better than chance, which would only be right 1/3 of the time.

BMC Genomics

One physician mentioned that it would only be "beneficial if done the right way".

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Speaking to the BBC, Communities Secretary Eric Pickles insisted that it would only be easier to build "in the right places".

BBC

Think about it: If religious people could refuse service to gay people, then it would only be fair for gay people to have the right to refuse service to religious people, wouldn't it?

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it would only be right" when you want to convey a sense of moral obligation or fairness in a decision or action. It subtly implies that not doing so would be unjust or inappropriate.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "it would only be right". While effective, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your phrasing with alternatives like "it's only fair" or "it's the right thing to do" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it would only be right" functions as an evaluative statement, expressing a judgment about what is morally or ethically appropriate. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase conveys a sense of fairness and justice.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it would only be right" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to convey a sense of fairness, justice, or moral obligation. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts. When writing, remember that while the phrase is effective, varying your phrasing with synonyms like "it would only be fair" or "it would simply be just" can keep your writing engaging. It is important to use the phrase when you want to suggest that a particular action is not just preferable, but morally required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it would only be fair

Focuses on reciprocity and deservedness.

it would simply be just

Emphasizes fairness and justice as the primary consideration.

it would just be fair

Highlights the aspect of equality and impartiality.

it would only be proper

Focuses on adherence to standards of etiquette or morality.

it would be fitting

Suggests appropriateness and suitability to the situation.

it is only appropriate

Emphasizes the correctness of a particular action or decision.

it is only reasonable

Implies a logical and sensible course of action.

it would be the correct thing to do

Highlights the moral or ethical dimension.

it's only what's expected

Emphasizes that the action aligns with expectations.

it's only decent

Stresses the basic moral obligation.

FAQs

What does "it would only be right" mean?

The phrase "it would only be right" suggests that a particular action or decision is morally justified, fair, or the most appropriate course to take in a given situation.

When is it appropriate to use "it would only be right" in a sentence?

Use "it would only be right" when you want to emphasize a sense of obligation or fairness. It's suitable when you want to express that something should happen because it's the just or ethical thing to do.

What can I say instead of "it would only be right"?

You can use alternatives like "it would only be fair", "it would simply be just", or "it would be fitting" depending on the context.

Is "it would only be right" formal or informal?

The phrase "it would only be right" sits in a neutral register, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives exist if a more elevated tone is required.