rebuke him for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rebuke him for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to express disapproval or criticism towards someone for a specific action or behavior. Example: "She decided to rebuke him for his careless mistakes during the presentation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

And, he added, no one at the N.F.L. has called to rebuke him for showing excerpts from the documentary.

The New York Times - Sports

His medical instructions were to stay in bed, but he violated them daily, and each morning the doctor would rebuke him for getting up.

The New Yorker

But Khan stressed that he hadn't voted for his new leader and went on to publicly rebuke him for failing to sing the national anthem.

The Guardian - Opinion

If he becomes too noisy and I rebuke him for it, he continues to sing but does it more privately and with a certain awe and uneasiness".

The New Yorker

MOSCOW -- Prime Minister Vladimir V. Putin of Russia interrupted a speech on the economy by a deputy minister on Friday to sharply rebuke him for suggesting that the government should abide by World Trade Organization rules on import tariffs.

The New York Times

At the same time he should publicly rebuke him for the appalling timing of his book this week as an act of selfish disregard for the Labour party, to whom he owes everything.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Now they were rebuking him for his recklessness.

The New Yorker

At that time the Simon Wiesenthal Center harshly rebuked him for the remarks.

The New York Times

It must have been God's way of rebuking him for his impiety.

The New Yorker

The newspapers were rebuking him for overlooking something that he would have liked better.

The New Yorker

Crossing into Persia, his companion Sykes nervously rebukes him for disrespecting the shah out loud.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "rebuke him for", ensure the reason for the rebuke is clear and specific to avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of saying "The manager rebuked him", specify "The manager rebuked him for missing the deadline".

Common error

Avoid using "rebuke him for" in casual conversations or informal writing. The word "rebuke" carries a formal tone; in informal settings, consider using more casual alternatives like "scold" or "call out".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rebuke him for" functions as a verb phrase used to express disapproval or criticism towards someone's actions. It indicates that someone is being reprimanded for something they have done. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "rebuke him for" is a grammatically sound construction used to express disapproval or criticism towards someone's actions. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While "rebuke" itself implies a formal tone, the phrase appears in a range of contexts, most commonly in news and media. When using this phrase, it's important to be clear and specific about the reason for the rebuke, and to consider the formality of the setting. Alternatives such as "scold him for" or "criticize him for" may be more appropriate in informal situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

criticize him for

Replaces "rebuke" with a more common synonym, "criticize", maintaining the same meaning and structure.

scold him for

Substitutes "rebuke" with "scold", suggesting a milder form of disapproval.

reproach him for

Uses "reproach" instead of "rebuke", offering a slightly more formal alternative.

admonish him for

Replaces "rebuke" with "admonish", implying a more serious and formal warning.

censure him for

Substitutes "rebuke" with "censure", suggesting a formal condemnation.

chastise him for

Uses "chastise" instead of "rebuke", implying a punishment or strong reprimand.

take him to task for

Replaces "rebuke" with the idiom "take him to task", conveying a similar meaning of holding someone accountable.

find fault with him for

Expresses disapproval by "finding fault", focusing on the negative aspects of his actions.

call him out on

Uses the phrasal verb "call him out on", suggesting a public criticism or confrontation.

express disapproval of him for

Emphasizes the act of expressing disapproval, making the phrase more explicit.

FAQs

What's a less formal way to say "rebuke him for"?

In less formal contexts, consider using alternatives such as "scold him for", "criticize him for", or "call him out on".

How can I use "rebuke him for" in a sentence?

You can use "rebuke him for" to indicate that someone is being criticized or reprimanded for a specific action or behavior. For example: "The teacher rebuked him for cheating on the exam".

What does "rebuke" mean?

The word "rebuke" means to express sharp disapproval or criticism of someone because of their behavior or actions. It implies a formal or serious reprimand.

When is it appropriate to use "rebuke"?

Use "rebuke" in situations where a formal or serious reprimand is necessary, such as in professional settings, academic discussions, or when addressing significant misconduct. It's less appropriate in casual conversations.