My goodness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "my goodness" is acceptable and can be used in written English.
It is a common expression used to express surprise or emphasis. Example: "My goodness, I can't believe how much weight I've gained over the holidays!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Haha, oh my goodness!

Huffington Post

"My goodness.

The New York Times

My goodness, rodeo — rodeo!

The Washington Post

"My goodness," I gasped.

The Guardian - Books

"My goodness," he writes.

The New Yorker

"My goodness," Waters said.

The New Yorker

"My goodness," she whispered.

The New York Times

"My goodness! said the clergyman.

The New Yorker

"My goodness, is that so?

The New Yorker

"My goodness!" the Pelgrin woman said.

The New Yorker

My goodness how the time has flewn.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "My goodness" to express genuine surprise or mild shock, especially in conversations or informal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "My goodness" in highly formal or professional writing, as it can sound too informal. Opt for more neutral expressions like "Indeed" or rephrase your sentence to convey surprise more subtly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "My goodness" functions primarily as an interjection, used to express a sudden emotion such as surprise, shock, or amazement. Ludwig's examples show it frequently introducing a reaction to unexpected news or situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

94%

Academia

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "My goodness" is a versatile interjection used to express surprise, shock, or amazement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples from diverse sources. While appropriate for news, media, and informal conversations, it should be used sparingly in highly formal contexts. Alternatives such as "goodness gracious" or "oh my heavens" can offer subtle variations in tone, and, based on the wide range of examples available, it is a very common phrase in English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

My word

A direct synonym expressing surprise or amazement.

Goodness gracious

Emphasizes surprise and may sound slightly more old-fashioned.

Good heavens

Similar in meaning but slightly more formal.

Oh my heavens

A more mild and polite version of "Oh my God".

Well I never

Expresses surprise or disbelief at something unexpected.

Good grief

Indicates surprise, dismay, or exasperation.

My stars

An exclamation of surprise or amazement, often used in older contexts.

Dear me

A somewhat old-fashioned expression of surprise, concern, or dismay.

Heavens to Betsy

An folksy and old-fashioned exclamation of surprise.

I must say

Expresses mild surprise or emphasis.

FAQs

How can I use "My goodness" in a sentence?

You can use "My goodness" to express surprise, shock, or amazement. For example, "My goodness, that's a huge cake!"

What's a more formal alternative to "My goodness"?

While "My goodness" is generally acceptable, in formal settings, you might consider rephrasing to convey surprise more subtly or using a more neutral expression.

Is "My goodness" appropriate for professional emails?

In most professional emails, it's better to avoid interjections like "My goodness" and instead opt for more direct and professional language. However, it can be appropriate if you know the recipient very well and maintain a friendly tone.

Are there regional variations in the use of "My goodness"?

The usage of "My goodness" is fairly consistent across different English-speaking regions, though specific alternatives like "goodness gracious" or "heavens to Betsy" might be more common in certain areas or age groups.