with good conscience

USAGE SUMMARY

"with good conscience" is a correct phrase that can be used in written English.
It is typically used to explain the feeling of doing something that is morally correct or having done something with a clear conscience. Example: I can sleep with good conscience knowing that I have done everything I can to make a difference.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

"With the eCool you can always drink a cold beer with good conscience".

The Guardian

My party could, with good conscience, stand aside in many of the seats we currently don't hold in exchange for clear run in the seats we might win.

The Guardian

"Judge, I understand the position of the court, but I cannot with good conscience consider a guilty verdict," the juror wrote.

The Guardian

"There are people who, with good conscience and their take of the data, say it's not ready for prime time, and there are people who look at the same data and they come to other conclusions," Dr. Lepor said.

The New York Times

On Friday, it appeared the result of the trial hung on the opinion of a single juror who indicated in a note to judge Clifton Newman, that they could not "with good conscience consider a guilty verdict".

The Guardian

The result appears to have hung on the opinion of single juror who, on Friday, indicated in a note to the judge, Clifton Newman, that they could not "with good conscience consider a guilty verdict".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

The assumption of Jewish depravity gave the followers of Christ carte blanche not merely with a good conscience but with fervor and exaltation to penalize, tax, torture, and slaughter the Jews, under the sign of the crucified Jesus.

The New Yorker

The Vegetarian might thus be likened to Kracauer's radical magazines, read by those bourgeois who need to suffer periodically from a bad conscience in order to get on with their lives with a good conscience.

The Guardian - Books

In union, zeal, and activity, let us be at least their equals; and, whilst we use no waepons but such as we can employ with a good conscience, let us wield these with a decision, vigour, and effort proportioned to the goodness of our cause, and the importance of the objects we have in view.

The Guardian

Kennedy, Inaugural Address, 1961: With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God's work must truly be our own.

The New Yorker

With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth, God's work must truly be our own.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "in good conscience" or "with a clear conscience" for variety, but be mindful of slight differences in connotation.

Common error

Avoid using "with good conscience" to justify actions that are primarily matters of personal preference or taste, as this can sound self-righteous. It is best reserved for situations involving genuine moral considerations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with good conscience" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to describe the manner in which an action is performed. It indicates that the action is undertaken with moral integrity and a clear sense of rightness, as Ludwig AI suggests.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

22%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "with good conscience" is a prepositional phrase indicating that an action or decision is made with moral integrity and a clear sense of rightness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically correct phrase used to express moral justification. It appears most frequently in News & Media sources, and less commonly in formal or academic settings. While "with good conscience" is a powerful expression of moral alignment, it's important to avoid overuse in subjective contexts and ensure it applies to genuine moral considerations. Alternatives like "in good conscience" or "with a clear conscience" can provide variety. The phrase suggests the actor believes their conduct is morally defensible and aligned with their values.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in clear conscience

Replaces "good" with "clear", emphasizing the absence of guilt.

with a clear conscience

Adds the article "a" for slightly different emphasis on clarity.

in all good conscience

Adds "all" to emphasize the totality of good conscience.

morally justified

Shifts from conscience to general moral approval.

ethically sound

Focuses on ethical principles rather than personal conscience.

in accordance with my principles

Specifies adherence to personal principles.

without moral qualms

Emphasizes the absence of moral doubts.

with a sense of integrity

Highlights the role of integrity in the action.

feeling morally upright

Expresses the feeling of moral correctness.

acting responsibly

Focuses on the responsibility aspect of the action.

FAQs

What does "with good conscience" mean?

The phrase "with good conscience" means acting in a way that aligns with your moral principles and values, leaving you feeling that you've done what is right.

How can I use "with good conscience" in a sentence?

You can use "with good conscience" to describe a decision or action taken with a clear sense of moral justification. For example, "I can "sleep with good conscience" knowing I did everything I could to help."

What are some alternatives to "with good conscience"?

Alternatives include phrases like "in good conscience", "with a clear conscience", or "morally justified", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "in good conscience" or "with good conscience"?

Both "with good conscience" and "in good conscience" are grammatically correct and widely used. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference or stylistic considerations, as their meanings are nearly identical.