trying to be charitable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trying to be charitable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing efforts to be kind, generous, or understanding towards others, especially in difficult situations. Example: "Even though I disagreed with his opinion, I was trying to be charitable and understand his perspective."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Trying to be charitable.

The New Yorker

For his part, Mr. Kelleher, who said he had studied for the Catholic priesthood as a young man before deciding he could not be celibate — then married and divorced three times — said he was trying to be charitable.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

(It's also possible that Atlantans have generally poor taste in artists. But let's try to be charitable).

Huffington Post

To this point this review has tried to be charitable even though there's a problem: Sentilles' memoir is a claustrophobic book.

Los Angeles Times

Try to be charitable in your interpretations.

WikiHow

There are people in great areas of authority who, and I'm trying to be as charitable as I can, have not done the work.

The Economist

"It appears to be a charitable gift that is trying to be a marketing vehicle, and it just doesn't make a lot of sense," said Paul Swangard, managing director of the Warsaw Sports Marketing Center at the University of Oregon's business school.

Huffington Post

I will try to be more charitable when I hear a cellphone ring in a public place.

The New York Times - Tech

I don't think there is any fair reading of the resolution that is in the bill and manager's amendment that admits of the idea that this is a bail-out fund or a slush fund... Unfortunately Senator McConnell, and I try to be as charitable as possible with people when it comes to arcane areas, is wrong on the facts.

The Economist

Try to be as charitable as possible.

WikiHow

While forcing herself to stick to a diet of grapefruit, toast and carefully measured cheese cubes, Betty also tried to force herself to be charitable toward Don and Megan, but utterly failed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "trying to be charitable", ensure the context clearly indicates an effort to be kind, understanding, or generous, especially when facing challenging or conflicting situations.

Common error

Avoid using "trying to be charitable" as a justification for overlooking genuine wrongdoing or harmful behavior. Being charitable should complement, not replace, sound judgment and ethical standards.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trying to be charitable" functions as a verb phrase indicating an active effort or attempt to embody the quality of charity. This involves extending kindness, understanding, or generosity towards others, often in situations where it might be challenging or counterintuitive. Ludwig shows examples in various contexts, reinforcing its role in describing intentional behavior.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "trying to be charitable" describes an effort to show kindness, understanding, or generosity, particularly in challenging situations. While grammatically correct and commonly used, it's important to ensure the context aligns with its intended meaning, as evidenced by Ludwig's analysis. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase follows standard grammar rules. The examples provided show its usage across various domains, like News & Media and Wiki, although it's less frequent in formal business settings. While aiming to be charitable is generally positive, it should be balanced with sound judgment and ethical considerations, avoiding its misuse as a justification for overlooking wrongdoing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

making an effort to be kind

Emphasizes the act of kindness, which is a component of charity.

aiming to be considerate

Stresses the act of being thoughtful and attentive to the needs of others.

attempting to be generous

Focuses on the act of generosity rather than a broader sense of charity.

endeavoring to be compassionate

Highlights the emotional aspect of showing empathy and concern.

seeking to be understanding

Concentrates on showing empathy and tolerance towards others.

striving to be benevolent

Implies a more deliberate and active effort towards doing good.

inclined to be lenient

Highlights the act of showing mercy and avoiding strict judgment.

aspiring to be magnanimous

Suggests a noble and forgiving spirit, going beyond basic charity.

working to be philanthropic

More focused on organized charitable giving and actions.

doing my best to be fair

Focuses on impartiality and justice, which can be related to charity in some contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "trying to be charitable" in a sentence?

You can use "trying to be charitable" to describe an effort to understand or show kindness even when it's difficult. For example: "Even though I disagreed with his opinion, I was "trying to be charitable" and understand his perspective."

What's a more formal way to say "trying to be charitable"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "endeavoring to be compassionate" or "attempting to be generous" which emphasize a conscious effort to show kindness and understanding.

Is it always a good idea to be "trying to be charitable"?

While being charitable is generally positive, it's important to balance it with discernment. Sometimes, being overly charitable can enable harmful behavior. Use it as a guide for understanding, not a replacement for sound judgment.

What's the difference between "trying to be charitable" and "trying to be nice"?

"Trying to be nice" generally refers to being polite and agreeable. "Trying to be charitable" goes deeper, involving understanding, empathy, and generosity, especially when dealing with difficult situations or people.