a breathtaking performance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a breathtaking performance" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a performance that is exceptionally impressive or awe-inspiring, often in the context of theater, music, or dance. Example: "The lead actor delivered a breathtaking performance that left the audience in tears."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Mr. Washington gives a breathtaking performance -- Saturday at 9 p.m. on CBS.

The New York Times

Serena Williams produced a breathtaking performance to win the women's singles final and defeat Maria Sharapova 6-0, 6-1.

The Guardian - Sport

With Leontyne Price and Fiorenza Cossotto, Mr. Pavarotti and Ghiaurov and Karajan, this is the document of a breathtaking performance.

The New York Times

Pang and Tong, the 2006 world champions, had the highest score in the long program with a breathtaking performance of daring lifts, precise jumps and tangible emotion.

The New York Times - Sports

A breathtaking performance of Ligeti's Piano Concerto by Pierre-Laurent Aimard revealed this playful, percussive and perilous work in all its facets, brilliantly aided by Rattle's cogent direction.

The Guardian

Jones (36-1), a Pensacola, Fla., native who was fighting almost in his backyard, put on a breathtaking performance before 8,700 at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

They were replaced by a violinist, who soon began a pretty breathtaking performance that sounded like it would be more at home in the Royal Albert Hall than a strip-lit retail unit in Phnom Penh.  .

Vice

The star athlete of the Athens Games has been a gymnast, Carly Patterson, with her breathtaking performance in the women's all-around competition.

The New York Times - Sports

The show concludes with a breathtaking encore performance of "Man in the Mirror". As Spike Lee (who ended up using the performance to conclude his Bad25 documentary) says, "If you look at that performance, he's somewhere else.

HuffPost

Within a two-week period a Foo Fighters' "Greatest Hits" album (RCA), a DVD and CD of Nirvana's breathtaking performance at the 1992 Reading Festival (UME) and Them Crooked Vultures' self-titled debut album (DGC/Interscope) are all being released.

The New York Times - Arts

The jacket is just one example of how much the film achieves with relatively little, and is but one aspect of a breathtaking central performance by Considine.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a breathtaking performance" to describe performances that genuinely inspire awe and admiration. Reserve it for moments that are truly exceptional.

Common error

Avoid using "a breathtaking performance" to describe routine or unremarkable events. This diminishes the impact of the phrase and makes your writing sound hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a breathtaking performance" functions as a noun phrase, where "breathtaking" acts as a descriptive adjective modifying the noun "performance". The adjective emphasizes the exceptional quality of the performance. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a breathtaking performance" is a noun phrase used to express strong admiration and highlight exceptional skill or artistry. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in news and media contexts. It's important to reserve it for performances that genuinely inspire awe to avoid diminishing its impact. Related phrases include "an awe-inspiring display" and "a stunning rendition", which offer alternative ways to convey the same sentiment with slight variations in emphasis. The phrase appears mostly in News and Media sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian, with very few examples in academic sources. While the register is generally neutral it can be used for informal purposes as well.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an awe-inspiring display

Focuses on the inspirational aspect of the performance rather than just its beauty or skill.

a stunning rendition

Emphasizes the execution and artistry in a musical or theatrical context.

an exceptional achievement

Highlights the accomplishment and skill involved in delivering a great performance.

a remarkable feat

Stresses the difficulty and impressiveness of the performance.

a magnificent spectacle

Highlights the visual grandeur and impressive nature of the performance, especially in a live setting.

a virtuoso performance

Emphasizes the high level of technical skill and artistry displayed.

an extraordinary display of talent

Focuses on the inherent skill and ability shown during the performance.

a commanding performance

Suggests the performer had exceptional control and presence.

an unforgettable act

Highlights the lasting impression and memorability of the performance.

a show-stopping moment

Emphasizes a specific part of performance that was particularly impressive.

FAQs

How can I use "a breathtaking performance" in a sentence?

You can use "a breathtaking performance" to describe someone's excellent work that is worth admiration. For example: "Serena Williams delivered "a breathtaking performance" at the Olympics".

What can I say instead of "a breathtaking performance"?

You can use alternatives like "an awe-inspiring display", "a stunning rendition", or "an exceptional achievement" depending on the context.

Is it acceptable to use "breathtaking performance" without the article "a"?

While grammatically incorrect in most contexts, "breathtaking performance" might be acceptable in headlines or informal settings where brevity is prioritized. However, ""a breathtaking performance"" is generally preferred for formal writing.

What makes "a breathtaking performance" different from "a good performance"?

"A breathtaking performance" implies a level of skill, artistry, or impact that far exceeds a simply "good" performance. It suggests something truly exceptional and memorable.