man of word

USAGE SUMMARY

"man of word" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to refer to someone who is known for keeping their promises and upholding their commitments. For example, you could say "He was a man of word and kept his promise to donate money to the charity."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

A man of word entices respect and admiration from others.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

But Ryan is also a man of words.

The New York Times - Sports

Track it down on his Man of Words anthology.

The Guardian - Music

Literary critic, philosopher, essayist, he was a man of words.

The Guardian - Books

The accompanying album was originally called Man of Words / Man of Music, but was later reissued as Space Oddity.

The Guardian - Music

He was a man of action rather than a man of words.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Q. You're not afraid that he's primarily a man of words?

The New York Times

Despite his many close calls, he is a man of words, not action.

The New York Times - Books

The blue plaque on the house reads "man of words", not "poet".

The Guardian - Travel

Palin, who once critiqued Obama for merely being a man of words, may soon have to eat hers.

The New Yorker

The story was published and with it Buarque's career as a man of words was born.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "man of word" is understandable, consider using the more common and accepted phrase "man of his word" for clarity and wider recognition.

Common error

Avoid using "man of word" in formal writing. Opt for "man of his word" or other synonyms like "person of integrity" to ensure your writing is clear and widely understood.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "man of word" functions as a noun phrase, typically used to describe a person's character. Ludwig's AI notes that while understandable, it's less common than "man of his word".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while "man of word" is technically correct, it is significantly less common and widely accepted than "man of his word". Ludwig AI analysis highlights that "man of word" functions as a noun phrase indicating reliability, but its infrequent usage suggests opting for the more recognized variant. For enhanced clarity and comprehension, it's generally best to use "man of his word" or similar alternatives like "person of integrity", especially in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

man of his word

This is the more common and widely accepted variant of the phrase.

person of integrity

This phrase emphasizes moral character and adherence to ethical principles.

one who keeps their promises

This alternative directly focuses on the act of fulfilling commitments.

someone reliable

This term highlights the dependability and trustworthiness of an individual.

trustworthy individual

This emphasizes the quality of deserving trust and confidence.

a person you can count on

This idiom suggests someone who is dependable and supportive.

one who honors their commitments

This alternative highlights the act of respecting and fulfilling obligations.

an honorable person

This term emphasizes integrity, honesty, and fairness.

a person of principle

This suggests someone guided by strong ethical beliefs.

a consistent individual

Highlights steadiness and reliability in behavior and actions.

FAQs

What does it mean to be a "man of word"?

Being a "man of word" means you are known for keeping your promises and being true to your commitments. However, the phrase "man of his word" is more commonly used.

What is a better way to say "man of word"?

A better and more common alternative is "man of his word". You could also use phrases like "person of integrity" or "someone reliable".

Is it grammatically incorrect to say "man of word"?

While not strictly grammatically incorrect, the phrase "man of word" is less common than "man of his word". Therefore, it is preferable to use "man of his word".

When should I use "man of his word" instead of "man of word"?

You should generally use "man of his word" in all contexts, as it is the more accepted and frequently used form. "Man of word" may sound unusual to many listeners and readers.