Meaning & use
be tactful
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Meaning
phraselinking
To be careful and sensitive in what you say or do, so as not to upset others.
Grammar: Describes a person's manner: She is tactful. Often followed by 'about' or 'in'.
Patterns
- be tactful about something
- be tactful in doing something
- be tactful with someone
When you tell him the news, try to be tactful.
She was tactful about his cooking, saying it was 'interesting'.
You need to be tactful when dealing with angry customers.
Common combinations
- be tactful about
- He was tactful about her new haircut.
- be tactful with
- Be tactful with your grandmother; she is easily hurt.
- try to be tactful
- Try to be tactful when you give feedback.
Synonyms and how they differ
- diplomatic
- Similar but often implies handling a difficult situation like a diplomat; 'tactful' is more about everyday sensitivity.
- considerate
- Focuses on thinking of others' feelings; 'tactful' focuses on avoiding offense in what you say.
Opposites
Word family
- tact noun
- The ability to be tactful.
- tactfully adverb
- In a tactful way.
- tactfulness noun
- The quality of being tactful.
Commonly confused: be tactful or tactical?
be tactful vs tactical
Tactical relates to tactics or strategy (e.g., a tactical move). Tactful means careful not to offend.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'be tactful' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Be tactful' means being careful not to upset others. Option An is the opposite (blunt), option C confuses 'tactful' with 'tactical', and option D is rude.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “be tactful”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.