rightful to

USAGE SUMMARY

'rightful to' is a correct phrase and it is used to describe something that belongs to a particular person due to their entitlement to possession or authority.
For example, you might say: "This house is rightful to you, according to your grandfather's will."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"This club's been here for over 120-odd years and it's rightful to be here, you can't really hijack into the city from another area," he said.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth, claimed to be rightful heir to the throne and attempted to displace James II.

Wikipedia

James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth, an illegitimate son of Charles II, claimed to be rightful heir to the throne and attempted to displace James II.

Wikipedia

She kills the usurper, then takes his head to the rightful heir to the throne, Hamid Lauda.

Wikipedia

I really made an honest request to my God to show me the rightful person to do this business with.

The New York Times

It took years for the Wright brothers to secure their rightful claim to aircraft-powered flight.

The New York Times - Tech

Ganz is just one of several engineers considered to have a rightful claim to being the Beetle's creator.

The New York Times

This shift is an unintended byproduct of our country's rightful desire to give back to our veterans.

Huffington Post

The remaining corporations need to withdraw until a legitimate government takes its rightful postion to govern.

The New York Times

That's right, it is the Obama campaign that has the rightful claim to having momentum.

The New York Times

"But I want my uncle's remains, and I want to return him to his rightful place, next to his mother," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rightful to" when emphasizing a moral or just claim to something, rather than a strictly legal or conventional one.

Common error

Avoid using "rightful to" when you simply mean the person who legally owns something. Use "rightful owner" or "legal owner" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rightful to" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun, indicating a just or moral entitlement to something. It suggests a stronger sense of deserving than simply having a legal claim. Ludwig indicates that the usage of the phrase "rightful to" is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "rightful to" is grammatically correct, although its usage is relatively rare. According to Ludwig, it's best used to express a moral or just entitlement, not just a legal one. While Ludwig has identified limited occurrences of "rightful to", it’s essential to consider context and choose precise alternatives like "justly entitled to" or "rightfully belonging to" for clarity and impact. Understanding the nuances helps ensure accurate and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rightfully belonging to

Focuses on the act of belonging rightfully, adding emphasis to possession.

having a rightful claim to

Specifies that a person or entity has a valid claim.

justly entitled to

Emphasizes the fairness and justice of the entitlement.

rightfully in possession of

Underscores the current state of holding something legitimately.

legitimately owned by

Highlights the legal aspect of ownership.

properly assigned to

Focuses on the correct allocation of something.

by right of

Indicates that something is due to someone based on a specific right.

by virtue of

Highlights that something is obtained through a particular quality or action.

deservedly given to

Emphasizes that something was earned and rightly bestowed.

due to

A simpler way to indicate that something is owed or should go to someone.

FAQs

How can I use "rightful to" in a sentence?

You can use "rightful to" when indicating someone has a just or moral claim to something. For example, "This inheritance is rightful to her, according to the terms of the will."

What's a good alternative to "rightful to"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "rightfully belonging to", "justly entitled to", or "having a rightful claim to".

Is it more appropriate to say "rightful owner" or "rightful to"?

"Rightful owner" is typically used to refer to someone who has legal ownership. "Rightful to" implies a moral or just entitlement, which isn't always the same as legal ownership.

When should I use "due to" instead of "rightful to"?

"Due to" is best used when explaining a cause-and-effect relationship or something that is owed. "Rightful to" is specifically about just or moral entitlement, not simple causation or obligation.