politely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "politely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the manner in which an action is performed, indicating that it is done in a courteous or respectful way. Example: "She asked him politely to move his car from the driveway."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the summer, the king's favourite moderniser, Bassam Aawadallah, an ardent liberal economist, was forced out as finance minister, partly for being too abrasive.For all the talk of modernisation and political pluralism, Jordan is still a politely authoritarian state run by a king whose near-absolute power is underpinned by a ruthless and watchful security service.

The Economist

He politely declined.

The New York Times

And so, seeing an opportunity to help tackle it, Dewey set up a Twitter bot "to quietly, politely correct misgendering errors".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

When they take to the stage that evening, to a politely rapturous crowd, there is already a sense of absence – a space where the very particular talents of Ferrer, González, Segundo, Cachaíto and the others once stood.

The Guardian - Music

It started politely but became more and more threatening as her clothes were reduced to rags and she kneeled in her underwear.

The Guardian - Arts

So one of our concerns was what many politely call 'climate justice' but can be put more bluntly as the easy privilege of the developed world in calling for an end to fossil fuel use after we have used them for centuries to ensure the supply of our basic needs and power our economic growth.

The Guardian

(The relationship started after the film was done, he says, adding that it would have been "very awkward" if it had been otherwise – then politely declaring that he will say no more about it).

The Guardian - Film

It was something that did not appeal to public school-educated male cabinet, who were mostly brought up to defer politely to ladies.

The Guardian

"He asked politely, but made it clear that if we did not accede, he would come back," said one of the election officials.

The Guardian

But his later efforts, while tackling ambitious subjects like humility and forgiveness, were politely, though unenthusiastically, received.

The Guardian

Persistent, detailed, passionate and sometimes politely menacing, the missives the Prince of Wales sends to Whitehall often coat strident demands for government action in self-deprecation and flashes of humour.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing dialogue, use "politely" to show a character's intention to avoid conflict or maintain a positive interaction, enhancing the scene's realism and emotional tone.

Common error

Avoid using "politely" to describe actions that are clearly insincere or passive-aggressive. Overusing it in such contexts can undermine your credibility and make the writing appear disingenuous. Instead, focus on genuine expressions of respect and consideration.

Linguistic Context

The word "politely" functions as an adverb, modifying verbs to describe the manner in which an action is performed. It indicates that something is done in a courteous, respectful, and well-mannered way, as illustrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "politely" is a versatile adverb that adds a touch of civility and respect to your writing. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely used, particularly in news and media. To enhance your writing, use "politely" to soften requests, express disagreements without confrontation, and maintain positive social interactions. While alternatives such as "courteously" and "respectfully" exist, "politely" offers a balanced and widely accepted option for conveying good manners. However, avoid using it to mask insincerity, as this can undermine your credibility. The high frequency and authoritative sources support the reliability and appropriateness of using "politely" in diverse contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

courteously

Emphasizes adherence to social norms and etiquette in interactions.

respectfully

Highlights the demonstration of regard for someone's feelings, wishes, or rights.

graciously

Implies elegance and kindness in behavior, often in accepting or offering something.

tactfully

Focuses on sensitivity and skill in dealing with delicate or controversial issues.

diplomatically

Suggests skill in handling situations without causing offense, often in a formal or professional context.

civilly

Indicates politeness and courtesy in interactions, especially among people who may disagree.

with good manners

Directly refers to the use of proper etiquette and social conventions.

with courtesy

Highlights the quality of being courteous and considerate in one's actions.

in a refined manner

Suggests elegance and sophistication in behavior, beyond mere politeness.

in a well-mannered way

Focuses on adhering to accepted standards of good behavior and etiquette.

FAQs

How can I use "politely" in a sentence?

"Politely" is an adverb that modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb, indicating a courteous manner. For example, "She "politely declined" the offer" or "He "politely asked" for assistance".

What are some alternatives to saying "politely"?

Depending on the context, you could use "courteously", "respectfully", "graciously", or "tactfully" as alternatives to "politely".

Is it always better to communicate "politely"?

While being "polite" is generally advisable, there are situations where directness and honesty are more important. Assess the context and relationship to determine the most effective communication style. Sometimes being overly "polite" can obscure the true message.

What's the difference between "politely" and "respectfully"?

While both words denote good manners, "politely" emphasizes adherence to social etiquette and avoiding offense, while "respectfully" focuses on showing deference and consideration for someone's feelings or position. You might "politely disagree" with someone, but "respectfully decline" an invitation due to a prior commitment.