In excellent shape

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "In excellent shape" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe someone or something that is in very good condition or health. Example: "After months of training, she is now in excellent shape for the marathon." Alternative expressions include "in great condition" and "in top form."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yet in a morning news conference aboard his campaign plane, Mr. Bush expressed few concerns and said he felt that the campaign was "in excellent shape".

The New York Times

Baltimore appeared to be in excellent shape to win without extra innings after Jones homered to lead off the seventh.

The New York Times - Sports

He is in excellent shape.

The Guardian - Sport

"Looking forward, Hornby is in excellent shape.

The Guardian - Business

Other than that, I'm in excellent shape.

The New Yorker

"We're in excellent shape right now," he said.

The New York Times

"The building itself is in excellent shape," she said.

The New York Times - Arts

"Everybody's in excellent shape," Baffert said today from California.

The New York Times - Sports

Until then, though, Seattle are in excellent shape.

The Guardian - Sport

"Germany is in excellent shape domestically," Mr. Schmieding said.

The New York Times

The orchestra he inherited was in excellent shape.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In professional writing, this phrase serves as a sophisticated way to signal confidence in a project or entity without using overly technical jargon.

Common error

Do not use the plural form "in excellent shapes" when referring to the condition of a single item or state. In this idiomatic usage, 'shape' is an uncountable noun representing a state of being.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "In excellent shape" functions as a prepositional phrase acting as a predicative adjective. It modifies a subject to define its state or quality. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is often preceded by linking verbs like 'is', 'appears', or 'remains'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Social Media

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "In excellent shape" is a versatile and grammatically correct expression used to denote a superior state of health, functionality, or integrity. Based on data from Ludwig, it is a staple of professional English, appearing consistently in top-tier publications such as The New York Times and The Guardian. It is equally effective when describing an athlete's physical fitness, a building's structure, or a company's financial health. Ludwig AI confirms its status as a highly reliable phrase that conveys positive status across diverse contexts, making it an essential tool for clear and authoritative writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

In top form

Emphasis is placed more on performance readiness and peak ability rather than general state.

In peak condition

Suggests the absolute highest level of physical or functional capacity possible.

In mint condition

Usually reserved for objects to imply they look and function as if they were brand new.

In robust health

Specifically refers to the biological or economic vitality of a person or entity.

In tip-top condition

A slightly more colloquial but emphatic synonym for being in a perfect state.

In great working order

Focuses strictly on the functionality and mechanical reliability of a system.

Fit as a fiddle

A more idiomatic and informal way to describe someone in perfect physical health.

Well-preserved

Often used for older objects or people that have remained in good state over a long period.

Financially sound

Narrows the scope of 'shape' specifically to fiscal health and stability.

Structurally sound

Technical term used primarily for buildings or physical frameworks.

FAQs

How to use "In excellent shape" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe physical health, such as 'The athlete is "In excellent shape" for the trials', or object condition, like 'The vintage car is still "In excellent shape"'.

What can I say instead of "In excellent shape"?

Depending on your context, you can use phrases like "in top form", "in mint condition", or "peak condition".

Is it correct to use "In excellent shape" for a company?

Yes, it is very common in business journalism to describe a company as being "In excellent shape" to indicate it is "financially sound" or performing well.

What is the difference between "In excellent shape" and "In good condition"?

While both are correct, "In excellent shape" implies a higher degree of perfection or readiness than "in good condition", which suggests a standard but not necessarily superior state.