personal censure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "personal censure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an individual's criticism or disapproval of someone's actions or behavior, often in a formal or serious context. Example: "The committee issued a personal censure against the member for their inappropriate remarks during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

His handling of the failed bid for the Asian life assurance arm of AIG in 2010 prompted calls for him to quit and brought personal censure from the City regulator three years later.

The Guardian - Business

John Kerry has been repeating the charge of stubbornness at every chance he gets.The administration has responded to Mr Clarke's charges with a torrent of personal censure, impugning his motives by accusing him of everything from frustrated ambition to political disloyalty and to being "out of the loop" (Dick Cheney's term).

The Economist

That system is a topic for national debate, not personal censure.

Huffington Post

For instance, many of the senators who voted against the White House's position on the emergency declaration — including Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) — were able to tell the president in person during an unrelated trade meeting how they were going to vote, emphasizing that it wasn't a personal censure.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Though he was bitterly censured, the personal favour of Confederate Pres.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Independent revealed in June Soca had knowledge for years that law firms, insurance companies and other sectors employed criminal private investigators to hack, blag and steal personal information, yet faced no censure.

Independent

Even though he weathered the immediate storm and completed his term as governor, he paid $74,000 to settle dozens of ethics charges related to his campaign spending and personal travel, and he was censured by the state legislature.

The Guardian - Opinion

Back in Tennessee, Representative Bob Clement, a Democrat, said a cross section of his constituents was torn over whether the President's actions warranted impeachment, resignation, censure or anything besides personal and historical humiliation.

The New York Times

Yet many Republicans who had no compunction about voting to express strong opinions on these far-flung topics say now that Congress has no business passing a resolution censuring President Clinton for personal conduct that the lawmakers find deplorable.

The New York Times

Mr. Ahern's personal popularity also spared him the voters' censure for a number of scandals and questionable deals that have kept several investigative tribunals busy.

The New York Times

Rather than fault leaders like Fink for imposing a personal agenda on their businesses, we must censure those CEOs who fail to take social consequences into account and, as a result, harm their shareholders' returns.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "personal censure" to convey a formal and individual disapproval, often in professional or official contexts. It's more impactful than general criticism.

Common error

Avoid using "personal censure" in casual conversations. It sounds overly formal and can be replaced with simpler phrases like "personal criticism" or "individual disapproval".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "personal censure" functions as a noun phrase that describes a specific type of reprimand or disapproval. Ludwig AI shows it's used to denote a formal or serious expression of criticism directed at an individual.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "personal censure" is a noun phrase used to describe a formal expression of disapproval directed towards an individual. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for professional and news contexts. While "personal censure" isn't frequently used (rated as rare), it carries significant weight when employed. For more informal settings, consider "individual reprimand" or "private condemnation". Remember that this phrase carries a negative connotation and should be used judiciously to convey serious disapproval.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

individual reprimand

Focuses on a formal rebuke from a specific person.

private condemnation

Emphasizes the personal nature and disapproval.

official disapproval

Highlights the formal and public nature of the censure.

formal rebuke

Stresses the structured and official character of the criticism.

express disapproval

A more general way to indicate disagreement or dissatisfaction.

criticize severely

Focuses on the intensity of the criticism.

harsh condemnation

Highlights the severity and moral judgment involved.

strong disapproval

Emphasizes the intensity of negative sentiment.

moral censure

Indicates a condemnation based on ethical grounds.

admonishment

Implies a gentle warning or correction.

FAQs

How is "personal censure" different from general criticism?

"Personal censure" implies a formal and often official expression of disapproval directed at a specific individual, whereas general criticism can be less formal and more broadly applied. For example, a committee might issue a "personal censure", while someone might offer general criticism of a movie.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "personal censure"?

Use "personal censure" in situations where a formal and individual reprimand is being issued, such as in professional ethics violations or serious breaches of conduct. It's suitable for formal reports, legal documents, or official statements. Simpler language like "individual reprimand" may be more suitable for less formal contexts.

What are some alternatives to "personal censure"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "individual reprimand", "private condemnation", or "formal rebuke". Each of these carries a slightly different nuance, so choose the one that best fits the situation. For instance, "official disapproval" might fit better in a legal context.

Can "personal censure" be used in a positive way?

No, "personal censure" always carries a negative connotation. It implies disapproval or condemnation. If you intend to express approval or support, this is not the phrase to use. Consider using words like "endorsement", or "praise" instead.