out of goodness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "out of goodness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that an action is done because of a kind or benevolent intention. Example: "She helped her neighbor with groceries out of goodness, expecting nothing in return."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

("I did this out of goodness, not evil," he said. "I would have done it again").

The New Yorker

"I did this out of goodness, not evil," Mr. Breivik said as he read from his statement, calling his actions "a preventive strike" and saying "I acted in self-defense on behalf of my people, my city, my country".

The New York Times

Tracked down by the purchaser, Simon Legree, to Bird's home, Mr. Bird out of goodness buys the boy and, giving him his freedom, gives him to his mother.

Wikipedia

Don't let someone take advantage of you just because you're too polite to say no.And women, understand that most men who help you dont really help you out of goodness of heart.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

If possible, the validity of model should be assessed by carrying out tests of goodness of fit and discrimination on a different data set from the original one.

Critical Care

Sometimes, if the classes are unavailable, they will help you find somebody who may out of the goodness of their heart teach you one-on-one.

WikiHow

Additionally, we carried out Hosmer-Lemeshow Goodness-of-Fit tosts to examine the fitness of the models.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

But this terrible event has also brought out the goodness of our people.

The Guardian

We are offering you a free party this Thursday so you can wring the last bits of goodness out of this grey month.

Vice

No one does anything out of the goodness of their hearts, possibly because they don't have much in the way of either goodness or hearts.

Vice

"She did this out of the goodness of her heart".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context and audience when using "out of goodness"; it can sometimes sound slightly old-fashioned or overly virtuous, so choose it deliberately.

Common error

Avoid using "out of goodness" too frequently in your writing, as it can make the text sound repetitive or insincere. Vary your language by using synonyms like "out of kindness" or "from a place of goodwill".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "out of goodness" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the motivation behind an action. It specifies that the action is performed due to benevolent intentions. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "out of goodness" is a way to express that an action is done with kind and benevolent intentions. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in written English. While grammatically sound, its usage is relatively rare. It's most commonly found in news and media and wiki contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the context is appropriate, and consider related phrases such as "out of kindness" or "from a place of goodwill" to add variety to your writing. Overusing it can make your writing sound repetitive. Remember to use it when you want to emphasize the moral motivation behind an action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

out of kindness

Replaces "goodness" with "kindness", emphasizing the compassionate nature of the action.

from a place of goodwill

Shifts from a direct attribute to a more descriptive phrase, highlighting the positive intent behind the action.

motivated by benevolence

Uses a more formal term, "benevolence", suggesting a deliberate act of charity or generosity.

driven by compassion

Focuses specifically on the emotional aspect of empathy and care as the driving force.

in a spirit of generosity

Emphasizes the magnanimous and unselfish nature of the action.

with altruistic intent

Uses the term "altruistic" to explicitly indicate selfless concern for others.

prompted by virtue

Highlights the moral quality of virtue as the reason for the action, implying a high ethical standard.

from a charitable impulse

Suggests a spontaneous act of giving or helping, driven by a feeling of compassion.

acting from principle

Indicates that the action is based on a set of moral or ethical beliefs.

impelled by righteousness

Emphasizes the moral correctness and justness of the motivation, often with a religious connotation.

FAQs

What does "out of goodness" mean?

The phrase "out of goodness" means that an action is performed because of kindness, generosity, or a desire to do what is morally right. It implies a benevolent intention without expecting anything in return.

What can I say instead of "out of goodness"?

You can use alternatives like "out of kindness", "from a place of goodwill", or "motivated by benevolence" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "out of goodness" formal or informal?

The phrase "out of goodness" is generally considered neutral in tone. While not strictly formal, it is suitable for a variety of contexts, including news articles, essays, and general conversation. More formal alternatives exist, such as "with altruistic intent".

How can I use "out of goodness" in a sentence?

You can use "out of goodness" to describe the motivation behind an action. For example: "She volunteered at the homeless shelter "out of goodness", wanting to help those in need."