show courtesy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "show courtesy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when advising someone to be polite or respectful in their interactions with others. Example: "In all your communications, remember to show courtesy to your colleagues, as it fosters a positive work environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

"I would ask you please to show courtesy to each other," Mr. Koppel said.

The New York Times

The photographs in this slide show, courtesy of Malaria Consortium, are part of an eight-week exhibition at the United Nations headquarters in Manhattan that begins March 15.

The New York Times

On Monday, the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum was the site of a beefcake fashion show courtesy of Jeffrey Fashion Cares, which left the predominantly male crowd a little hot under their starched collars.

The New York Times

Known as the "skyline spectacular," it was a fabulous free show courtesy of Allen's, which had advertised its candies in animated neon lights above the factory since the mid-1950s.

The New York Times - Arts

PAGE C6 Lorin Maazel's Philharmonic C11 Arts Review Finding Rewards at the Art Show Courtesy of the Art Dealers Association of America, this year's Art Show has, as usual, just 70 participants.

The New York Times

During the Prologue we see the backstage preparations for the entertainments that the richest man in Vienna is offering his party guests: a tragic new opera, "Ariadne auf Naxos," by a serious-minded young composer, and a song-and-dance show, courtesy of a troupe of minstrels.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Some of the wording is clear; anyone can understand "shows courtesy and respect toward others".

The New York Times

Other events include open-air theatre at the Everyman; fringe shows courtesy of The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and a fitting finale: the National Eisteddfod of Wales.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Dillinger, with his lop-sided smile and cleft chin, became a popular hero in the Depression, nurturing his reputation by showing courtesy to hostages.

The Guardian - Books

Auto Pacific Inc., an auto market research company in Santa Ana, Calif., found in another large survey this spring that sport utility buyers placed a lower value than minivan buyers on showing courtesy on the road.

The New York Times

(Video shown courtesy of the Welsh government).

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to be courteous, specify the context or action. For instance, instead of saying just "show courtesy", say "show courtesy to your colleagues".

Common error

While "show courtesy" is acceptable, in very formal writing, consider using alternatives like "demonstrate respect" or "extend civility" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "show courtesy" functions as an imperative, often used to advise or instruct someone to be polite and respectful. Ludwig indicates this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Wiki

40%

News & Media

35%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "show courtesy" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to advise or instruct someone to be polite and respectful. According to Ludwig, it is considered correct and usable in written English. Analysis reveals that the phrase functions as an imperative and serves to promote positive social interactions. While adaptable across various contexts, it appears most frequently in News & Media and Wiki sources. For more formal tones, alternatives such as "demonstrate respect" may be preferable. Remember to adapt the expression based on the context to maximize clarity and effectivity, considering also the writing guidance to be relevant in practice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

demonstrate respect

Focuses on the act of displaying respect, which is a key component of courtesy.

exhibit politeness

Highlights the quality of being polite, emphasizing good manners and etiquette.

display consideration

Emphasizes thoughtfulness and awareness of others' feelings and needs.

practice good manners

Focuses on the adherence to social norms and etiquette in behavior.

treat with respect

Highlights the action of treating someone with consideration and value.

act respectfully

Emphasizes behaving in a way that shows regard for others' feelings and rights.

extend civility

Focuses on offering polite and respectful behavior, especially in formal settings.

behave courteously

Highlights the manner of behaving in a polite and respectful way.

offer respect

Emphasizes the act of providing respect to others.

give due respect

Focuses on providing the appropriate level of respect that someone deserves.

FAQs

How can I use "show courtesy" in a sentence?

You can use "show courtesy" when advising someone to be polite or respectful in their interactions, such as "Remember to "show courtesy" to all team members during the meeting".

What can I say instead of "show courtesy"?

Alternatives to "show courtesy" include "demonstrate respect", "exhibit politeness", or "display consideration", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "show courtesy" or "showing courtesy"?

Both "show courtesy" and "showing courtesy" can be correct, but they function differently. "Show courtesy" is an imperative, used to give a command or instruction. "Showing courtesy" is a gerund phrase, used as a noun, such as in the sentence "Showing courtesy is essential for building positive relationships".

What's the difference between "show courtesy" and "show respect"?

While closely related, "show courtesy" often refers to politeness and good manners in social interactions, while "show respect" implies a deeper admiration or regard for someone's worth or status. You might "show courtesy" to a stranger, but you "show respect" to an elder or authority figure.