right thing would be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "right thing would be" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing what is considered the appropriate or moral action in a given situation. Example: "In this case, the right thing would be to apologize for the misunderstanding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

No one here does the right thing; no one knows what the right thing would be.

The New York Times - Books

"The sensible thing and right thing would be to do what Ofcom wants to do," he said.

Independent

4 It's empty to insist that the right thing would be some huge energy plan to make some great transition.

The New York Times

Pressed to clarify what that right thing would be, Palin eventually took a line more consistent with McCain's, saying, "The time has come for him to step aside".

The New Yorker

It was put to the prime minister that a way to make firms and public sector employers do the right thing would be to compel them to publish statistics detailing the diversity of their workforces.

The Guardian

He fills the long silences by reflecting on the day he went shooting with his own father, and realizes "he would never know what the right thing would be to do in his life".

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

The next right things would be to start the process and hopefully they will end up in jail because of the corruption.

Vice

Right now I think the irrational thing would be to say: 'No, I don't feel like coaching again.

The New York Times - Sports

If it were that simple as a software fix, this thing would be resolved right now.

Los Angeles Times

The normal thing would be left-right, but the lines are drawn differently here".

The Guardian - Sport

She now attributes her restless discontent to serious depression, but at the time, "I thought if I found the right person, things would be O.K.," she said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "right thing would be", ensure the context clearly establishes the ethical or moral framework guiding the decision. For example, consider the values, principles, or standards that define what is 'right' in that situation.

Common error

Avoid using "right thing would be" when the situation involves personal preferences or opinions rather than clear ethical considerations. In subjective scenarios, using phrases like "best option would be" or "most suitable choice would be" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "right thing would be" functions as a modal expression of obligation or advisability. It suggests a course of action deemed morally or ethically correct within a specific context. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing its usage in diverse scenarios, reinforcing its function in expressing what is considered the appropriate or just action.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "right thing would be" is a commonly used expression to indicate a morally or ethically correct course of action. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically sound and appears frequently in diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. It functions to advocate for a particular action by framing it as the morally correct choice. While versatile, it's best to avoid overusing it in purely subjective contexts, opting instead for phrases like "best option would be". As Ludwig confirms, understanding the nuances of this phrase allows for more precise and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appropriate course would be

Emphasizes suitability and correctness over morality.

best course of action would be

Focuses on the optimality of a particular action.

sensible approach would be

Highlights practicality and reason.

prudent step would be

Suggests caution and foresight.

advisable action would be

Recommends a particular action based on its benefits.

correct approach would be

Focuses on accuracy and adherence to standards.

ideal solution would be

Indicates the most desirable outcome.

proper thing to do would be

Emphasizes conformity to expected norms.

ethical choice would be

Specifically emphasizes moral considerations.

responsible action would be

Highlights accountability and duty.

FAQs

How can I use "right thing would be" in a sentence?

Use "right thing would be" to express what you believe is the most ethical or morally correct action in a given situation. For instance, "The "right thing would be" to admit your mistake and apologize."

What are some alternatives to "right thing would be"?

Alternatives include "the "appropriate action would be"", "the "best course of action would be"", or "the "sensible approach would be depending on the context"".

When is it not appropriate to use "right thing would be"?

Avoid using "right thing would be" in situations where personal preferences or subjective opinions are more relevant than ethical considerations. In such cases, alternative phrases may be more suitable.

How does "right thing would be" differ from "best thing to do"?

"Right thing would be" specifically emphasizes a moral or ethical dimension, while "best thing to do" focuses more broadly on effectiveness or practicality. The former implies a judgment based on principles, whereas the latter is about achieving the most favorable outcome.