matter of courtesy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "matter of courtesy" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, you can write: "I attended the meeting as a matter of courtesy." This means that you attended the meeting out of politeness or respect.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

Chelsea were contacted by Blackburn as a matter of courtesy before the game.

Independent

That sort of thing is not uncommon, as a matter of courtesy — or negotiation — between orchestras.

The New York Times - Arts

It was a matter of courtesy, of a strong sense of the other person's feelings.

Independent

Its existence could be regarded as a matter of courtesy between the three parts of Parliament.

The Guardian

Police confirmed that officers contacted the families of the two victims prior to yesterday's operation "as a matter of courtesy".

Independent

As a matter of courtesy, she should offer to replace his hard drive and, with equal courtesy, he should decline.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

"It's a matter of common courtesy.

The New York Times - Sports

Such pleas are usually honored as a matter of senatorial courtesy.

The New York Times

When I met Meitu's chairman, Cai Wensheng, later that day, he confirmed that editing your pictures had become a matter of ordinary courtesy.

The New Yorker

Committee sources said, however, that three of these, Kansas City, New York and Washington, were probably not really in the running but were included as a matter of political courtesy.

The New York Times

As a matter of senatorial courtesy, Daniel K. Inouye, Democrat of Hawaii, who stood on the opposite side of the legislation, had agreed in advance to withhold his vote so the outcome could not be affected by Mr. Stevens's absence.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "matter of courtesy", ensure the context clearly indicates the action is performed out of politeness, respect, or adherence to social norms. For instance, "Contacting the previous owner was a "matter of courtesy" before starting renovations."

Common error

Don't use "matter of courtesy" when a genuine obligation or legal requirement exists. For instance, paying taxes is not a "matter of courtesy"; it's a legal duty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "matter of courtesy" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often used as a prepositional complement (e.g., "as a matter of courtesy"). It indicates that an action is performed due to politeness, respect, or social convention, rather than obligation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

26%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "matter of courtesy" is a commonly used phrase indicating that an action is performed out of politeness, respect, or adherence to social norms rather than legal obligation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted. The phrase is most frequently encountered in news and media, scientific and academic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the context aligns with the intention of politeness or respect, avoiding its application to legally binding or obligatory actions. Consider alternative phrases like "act of politeness" or "show of respect" to enhance precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

out of politeness

Directly indicates that politeness is the motivation.

act of politeness

Focuses on the action being polite, rather than the reason behind it.

as a respectful gesture

Highlights the act as a sign of respect.

show of respect

Highlights the respect being demonstrated.

gesture of goodwill

Emphasizes the positive intention behind the action.

act of consideration

Stresses the thoughtfulness involved.

simply good manners

Focuses on the behavior being a display of good etiquette.

common decency

Highlights basic standards of behavior that are considered courteous.

a question of etiquette

Focuses on the conformity with accepted behaviors.

standard practice

Implies the action is customary and widely accepted.

FAQs

How can I use "matter of courtesy" in a sentence?

You can use "matter of courtesy" to describe an action done out of politeness or respect, like "We informed our neighbors of the construction as a "matter of courtesy"".

What's the difference between "matter of courtesy" and "matter of right"?

"Matter of courtesy" refers to actions done out of politeness, while "matter of right" refers to actions one is legally entitled to perform.

What can I say instead of "matter of courtesy"?

You can use alternatives like "out of politeness", "as a gesture of goodwill", or "show of respect depending" on the specific context.

Is it always necessary to act as a "matter of courtesy"?

While not always legally required, acting as a "matter of courtesy" often fosters good relationships and avoids potential conflicts. Whether it's necessary depends on the specific social or professional context.