pure virtue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pure virtue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ideal or untainted form of moral excellence or goodness. Example: "Her actions were a reflection of pure virtue, inspiring everyone around her to strive for the same high moral standards."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

But unfiltered medical data aren't a pure virtue.

The New Yorker

That this constitutes one of the crimes of American music history is an argument "Respect Yourself" makes by the pure virtue of its narrative.

The New York Times - Arts

This is stuff that even famous and expensive restaurants don't bother with anymore — their customers wouldn't notice — so caring about it is a matter of pure virtue.

The New Yorker

"Berlioz believed neither in God nor in Bach, neither in absolute beauty in art nor in pure virtue in life," his friend Ferdinand Hiller recalled.

The New Yorker

According to pure virtue epistemology, epistemic virtues and vices are sui generis.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

But in a year-in-review/preview message to his staff, Mr. Denton spends a fair amount of pixels on the pure virtues of well-turned narratives, traffic be damned.

The New York Times

This is not a case of pure democratic virtue against pure authoritarian evil.

The New York Times

The flood of Web hits and phone calls put me in mind of "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington," Frank Capra's preposterous fable of pure-hearted virtue triumphing over hard-hearted vice.

The New Yorker

Lombardi, on the other hand, more famously, believed in the pure Gladwellian virtues of perseverance and repetition: practice the power sweep until you were perfect at it; then say you were going to run it; then run it.

The New Yorker

It stands and moves by virtue of pure energy.

The New York Times - Arts

Ruskin contended that Gothic architecture expressed "a state of pure national faith, and…domestic virtue" while Renaissance architecture expressed "concealed national infidelity, and…domestic corruption".

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pure virtue" to describe actions or qualities that are morally impeccable and untainted by selfish motives or negative influences.

Common error

Avoid using "pure virtue" too casually in modern writing. The phrase can sound archaic or overly idealistic if not used carefully. Consider the tone and context of your writing to ensure it fits appropriately.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pure virtue" functions as a noun phrase, where "pure" modifies the noun "virtue". It describes a state of moral excellence, untainted and absolute. Ludwig shows examples where it signifies genuine and uncorrupted goodness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pure virtue" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe an untainted and absolute state of moral excellence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English. While less common in contemporary language, it often appears in philosophical, academic, and news contexts. Alternatives such as "absolute goodness" or "unblemished morality" may offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances. When using "pure virtue", consider the context and audience to ensure it aligns with the overall tone and style of your writing. The phrase is best reserved for situations where the intent is to emphasize a genuine and untainted form of moral quality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absolute goodness

Emphasizes the completeness and lack of flaws in the goodness.

unblemished morality

Highlights the absence of any moral stains or imperfections.

perfect integrity

Focuses on the wholeness and consistency of moral principles.

moral purity

Stresses the untainted and uncorrupted nature of moral character.

flawless ethics

Emphasizes the lack of errors or faults in ethical conduct.

sheer righteousness

Highlights the undiluted and genuine quality of being morally right.

unadulterated virtue

Stresses the genuine and untainted form of virtue.

ideal morality

Focuses on morality as a perfect standard or goal.

pristine goodness

Emphasizes the fresh, unspoiled, and original state of goodness.

exemplary moral character

Focuses on moral character as a perfect example to be copied.

FAQs

How can I use "pure virtue" in a sentence?

You can use "pure virtue" to describe someone's inherent moral excellence, as in: "Her actions were motivated by "pure virtue", without any expectation of reward."

What's the difference between "pure virtue" and "moral integrity"?

"Pure virtue" emphasizes the untainted, ideal nature of goodness, while "moral integrity" ("moral integrity") focuses on the consistency and adherence to moral principles, even in difficult situations.

What can I say instead of "pure virtue"?

You can use alternatives like "absolute goodness", "unblemished morality", or "perfect integrity" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "pure virtue" a common phrase in contemporary English?

While grammatically correct, "pure virtue" is not as common as other phrases expressing morality. It carries a slightly formal or idealistic tone, so consider the context when using it.