public good

USAGE SUMMARY

'public good' is a correct and usable term in written English.
You can use it to refer to the collective benefit of a given action or good, such as when providing public services or engaging in a public benefit activity. For example, "The city decided to donate money to charity in the interest of public good."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

· Public education is a public good.

The Washington Post

It's for the public good.

The New York Times - Arts

It becomes a public good.

The New Yorker

What about the public good?

The Economist

"It's a public good".

The Guardian - Money

A public good.

The Guardian

Liquor sales aren't a public good.

The Economist

"The diving board is a public good".

The New York Times

The measures were for the public good.

The Economist

The public good, as interpreted by politicians?

The Economist

Perhaps even to the public good.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "public good", ensure the context clearly defines who benefits and how. Specificity strengthens your argument and clarifies the intended impact.

Common error

Avoid assuming everyone agrees on what constitutes the "public good". Acknowledge potential differing viewpoints or clarify your specific definition to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "public good" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It refers to something beneficial to all members of a community. Ludwig shows its use in diverse contexts, confirming its role as a descriptive term for collective welfare.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "public good" is a noun phrase denoting something that benefits the entire community. Ludwig confirms its widespread use across various contexts, from news and media to academic and scientific discussions. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and serves to advocate for policies or actions that enhance societal welfare. While its register is generally neutral, clarity is crucial when employing this phrase, ensuring that the intended benefits and beneficiaries are well-defined.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

public interest

Synonymous, but slightly more formal.

common good

Replaces "public" with "common", emphasizing shared benefit among a community.

general welfare

Focuses on the overall well-being of the population.

societal benefit

Highlights the advantages to society as a whole.

social welfare

Highlights the well-being of society, often in the context of social programs.

collective benefit

Emphasizes the advantages gained by a group.

benefit to society

Directly states the positive impact on society.

community interest

Centers on what is advantageous for the community.

welfare of the people

Focuses on the well-being of the populace.

service to the community

Highlights the action of providing something beneficial.

FAQs

How is the term "public good" typically used in a sentence?

The term "public good" is generally used to describe something that benefits society as a whole. For instance, "Investing in education is an investment in the "public good"".

What are some alternative phrases I can use instead of "public good"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "common good", "general welfare", or "societal benefit".

In what contexts is the phrase "public good" most appropriate?

The phrase "public good" is particularly relevant in discussions about government policy, economics, and ethics, where the focus is on benefits accessible to everyone.

How does "public good" differ from "private good"?

"Public good" refers to something that benefits everyone, while "private good" is something that benefits a specific individual or group. A "public park" is an example of the former, and a privately owned car is an example of the latter.