reproach with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reproach with" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used when indicating that someone is expressing disapproval or criticism towards another person for a specific reason or action. Example: "She reproached him with his lack of commitment to the project."

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Wiki

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

He challenges the world not with bellows and bravura but with a soft, somber reproach, with an audible timbre of compassion.

The New York Times

Beginners is immensely moving, funny and involving, the acting beyond reproach, with Christopher Plummer bringing a rare wit, compassion and unsanctimonious grace to the role of Hal.

The Guardian - Film

President Obama's new presidential rug seemed beyond reproach, with quotations from Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. woven along its curved edge.

The Washington Post

Finally, weakened and starving, I decided to go back home, to my native village of Louingui The villagers welcomed me without a word, without a reproach, with some kind of indifference.

Unicef

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Who was MacMaster instructing or reproaching with that one?

The New Yorker

Now, you will note that a report was made against Major Meinel by the SD in which Meinel was reproached with having shown, to some extent, aversion against the National Socialist creed.

Yale University

Before the opening, "Paris-Match" (French equivalent to "Life") gave him a nine-page article He wrote an article for the pro-Communist literary weekly "Les Lettres Francaises" in self-defense, "I Am Reproached with Making Too Much Money".

The New Yorker

But in fact, beyond Eva lies a series of doorkeepers, most notably Brod, who has been reproached with everything under the sun: with making Kafka a saint, with refusing to burn his papers, with hiding the papers that he refused to burn, with writing such dreadful novels and, overall, with his general inescapability.

The New York Times - Magazine

A tweet by IndigenousX founder Luke Pearson captures the frustrations that blackfullas, and our allies who advocate for the advancement of Aboriginal affairs, feel when reproached with this scintillating logic year after year for daring to speak out about the insult of the rabid flag-waving on 26 January.

The Guardian

Patiently, authentically, in a way reminiscent of the young soldier in "Philoctetes," she has bootstrapped trust and hope in her husband, answering his self-reproach with a corrected vision of who he was in the war, what he did, and who he can be now.

Los Angeles Times

Perhaps aware that Banks considered that the columnar basalt cliff formations on Ulva called "The Castles" rivalled Staffa's Johnson wrote: When the islanders were reproached with their ignorance or insensibility of the wonders of Staffa, they had not much to reply.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "reproach with", ensure the context clearly indicates the reason for the criticism or disapproval. Be mindful that it may sound somewhat formal or old-fashioned.

Common error

Avoid using "reproach with" in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "criticize for" or "blame for" in such scenarios to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

Reproach with functions as a verb phrase used to indicate the act of expressing disapproval or criticism toward someone regarding a particular action or characteristic. It implies a sense of disappointment or mild accusation.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "reproach with" is used to express criticism or mild accusation towards someone. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig indicates that it is not a commonly used phrase. The phrase appears more frequently in formal writing and news media. When writing, it's advisable to ensure the context clearly signals disapproval and to consider simpler alternatives in casual settings. The expert rating is 3.8 indicating that while the query is correct, its authority in use is not optimal. The analysis shows that alternative phrases like "criticize for" or "blame for" are more prevalent in modern English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Criticize for

Focuses on pointing out faults or errors.

Blame for

Emphasizes assigning responsibility for a negative outcome.

Accuse of

Implies a formal charge or allegation.

Reprimand for

Suggests a formal or official rebuke.

Rebuke for

Implies a sharp and stern disapproval.

Admonish for

Indicates a gentle but firm warning or scolding.

Censure for

Indicates strong disapproval or condemnation.

Take to task for

Suggests a thorough and critical examination or scolding.

Find fault with

Emphasizes the act of discovering flaws or imperfections.

Denounce for

Suggests a public condemnation.

FAQs

How can I use "reproach with" in a sentence?

You can use "reproach with" to indicate that someone is expressing disapproval or criticism towards another person for a specific reason or action. For example: "She reproached him with his lack of commitment to the project."

What are some alternatives to "reproach with"?

You can use alternatives like "criticize for", "blame for", or "reprimand for" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "reproach with" or "criticize for"?

While both are grammatically correct, "criticize for" is generally more common and less formal than "reproach with". Choose the phrase that best fits the tone and context of your writing.

What does it mean to be "above reproach"?

To be "above reproach" means to be blameless or irreproachable; that is, of such good character or conduct that no criticism can be made. This is a different usage than the verb phrase "reproach with".