respectable man

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "respectable man" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone who is generally regarded as honest and upright. For example, "The mayor of our small town is a very respectable man."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

They are lively and confident places, with jobs and training for the young and leadership from respected and respectable man and women in their 40s, who have learned the punishing lessons of a lifetime's struggle against impossible odds, and are striving to give their children a taste of the "normality" they never had.

The Guardian

Yet he remained, which was his genius, to all outward appearances a most respectable man.

The New Yorker

His battlefield name, Hajji Marea, roughly translated, means "the respectable man from Marea".

The New York Times

Holly has changed since she's been married to Barnes, who is the first respectable man she ever dated.

The New Yorker

It is under this fractious atmosphere that a respectable man was murdered.

The Guardian

But before she can feel worthy of a respectable man she needs to settle the question of her parentage.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Kushner calls it "a respectable men's night out".

The New York Times - Sports

He serves his country and does so courageously, next to other respectable men and women.

The Washington Post

Priests were like the Garibaldini — they were an evil breed, but there were some respectable men among them.

The New Yorker

I found last month's respectable men's night out an endearingly sleazy evening of girlie jiggle and erratic pugilism.

The New York Times - Sports

That Trump is somehow sullying an office previously held by respectable men of good character is a lie in any case.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context of the era; in historical writing, this phrase often carried specific connotations regarding class and financial stability.

Common error

Do not confuse "respectable man" with "respected man". While a "respectable man" is someone who is worthy of respect or behaves correctly, a "respected man" is someone who is actively held in high regard by others. A person can be respectable without being widely known or respected.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "respectable man" functions as a noun phrase composed of an attributive adjective and a common noun. It serves to qualify the subject by attributing a specific social or moral quality to them. According to Ludwig AI, it is frequently used in descriptive narratives to establish a character's reliability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "respectable man" is a well-established and grammatically correct English phrase. It bridge the gap between social reputation and moral integrity. Data from Ludwig indicates that the phrase is most prevalent in journalistic and literary contexts, often used to contrast outward appearances with inner reality. When writing, ensure you distinguish it from ""respected man"" to precisely convey whether the respect is a quality the person possesses or an action others take toward them. Overall, it remains a powerful tool for describing character in both modern and historical settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

upright citizen

emphasizes social responsibility and law-abiding nature

honorable man

focuses more on internal ethics and personal integrity

man of integrity

shifts the focus from social perception to inherent moral character

reputable gentleman

adds a layer of formal class and emphasizes public reputation

decent man

a simpler, more colloquial way to describe basic moral goodness

distinguished gentleman

suggests high social status or professional achievement alongside respectability

esteemed individual

highly formal and implies a high level of collective admiration

worthy man

carries a slightly more literary or old-fashioned tone

proper man

implies adherence to strict social conventions or traditional roles

trustworthy person

a gender-neutral alternative focusing specifically on reliability

FAQs

How do I use "respectable man" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a person's character, such as: "Despite his humble beginnings, he grew up to be a very respectable man in his community."

What is the difference between "respectable man" and "respected man"?

A "respectable man" is one who follows social norms and is worthy of esteem, whereas a ""respected man"" is someone who has already earned the admiration of others. Ludwig AI examples show both are often used to describe pillars of the community.

Is "respectable man" considered formal?

It is generally neutral to formal. It appears frequently in literature, journalism and academic writing to describe a person's social standing.

Can I use "upright man" as a synonym?

Yes, "upright man" is an excellent synonym that emphasizes moral correctness and honesty.