a brilliant display

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a brilliant display" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an impressive or striking exhibition of something, such as art, lights, or performances. Example: "The fireworks put on a brilliant display that lit up the night sky."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The sky was full of stars — a brilliant display.

The New Yorker

It was a brilliant display from my boys".

The Guardian - Sport

The event was a brilliant display of political stagecraft by Rumsfeld.

The New Yorker

The novel is ornamented with a brilliant display of Wilde's finest epigrams.

The Guardian - Books

I think it's a brilliant display of chutzpah that he fashioned a classic work of American literature out of another.

The Guardian - Books

It was always a brilliant display of stonework, and quite a contrast to the simple, clean (O.K., antiseptic) lines of the New West.

The New York Times

Many birds that conceal courtship coloration when their feathers are held close to the body present a brilliant display upon erecting their feathers.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was a brilliant display of serve-and-volley tennis, a style that has all but disappeared in the modern game.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Brian Lara and Wavell Hinds destroyed Canada's bowling with an brilliant display of hitting to steer West Indies to a crushing seven-wicket win in World Cup Group B. Canada opener John Davison had struck the fastest World Cup century in history to set up his side's total of 202, but Lara made a sparkling 73 and Hinds 64 to help their team to their target with nearly 30 overs to spare.

The Guardian - Sport

Charlotte Dujardin was that gold-winner (along with Valegro: does the horse get a medal?), showing off a technically brilliant display that should put to rest any comparisons between dressage and that dog who won Britain's Got Talent.

The Guardian - Sport

It was a breathtaking goal that rounded off a quite brilliant display and ended with Bale leaving the pitch to a standing ovation when he was substituted 18 minutes from time.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an event or performance, use "a brilliant display" to convey a sense of excitement and high quality. It's particularly effective when you want to emphasize the visual or skillful aspects of the event.

Common error

While "a brilliant display" is widely accepted, avoid using it excessively in highly formal or academic writing where more precise and nuanced language might be preferred. Consider alternatives like "an exceptional demonstration" or "a remarkable exhibition" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a brilliant display" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "brilliant" modifies the noun "display". It describes an event, performance, or object that is exceptionally impressive or striking, as supported by Ludwig's analysis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Encyclopedias

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a brilliant display" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that describes something exceptionally impressive. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media, to express admiration for events, performances, or objects. While versatile, remember to consider the tone of your writing and choose alternatives if a more formal style is required. The phrase is defined with a brilliant display of something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an impressive spectacle

Synonymous to 'magnificent spectacle', emphasizes the scale and grandeur.

a splendid exhibition

Replaces 'display' with 'exhibition', focusing on the act of showing something impressively.

an extraordinary exhibition

Using 'extraordinary' emphasizes the unusual and exceptional nature.

an outstanding showcase

Uses 'showcase' instead of 'display', emphasizing the presentation of something remarkable.

a stunning presentation

Replaces 'display' with 'presentation' and brilliant with stunning.

a magnificent spectacle

Employs 'spectacle' to highlight the visually impressive nature of the display.

a remarkable performance

Focuses on the execution and skill involved in the display, particularly if it's a performance.

a masterful demonstration

Focuses on the skill and expertise involved in showing something.

an exceptional demonstration

Highlights the act of showing or proving something in an impressive way.

a dazzling array

Uses 'array' to suggest a collection or arrangement that is visually stunning.

FAQs

How can I use "a brilliant display" in a sentence?

You can use "a brilliant display" to describe something impressive, such as "The fireworks were a brilliant display", or "The team put on a brilliant display of skill".

What can I say instead of "a brilliant display"?

You can use alternatives like "a splendid exhibition", "an outstanding showcase", or "a magnificent spectacle" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "an brilliant display" instead of "a brilliant display"?

No, it is incorrect. The correct phrasing is "a brilliant display" because "brilliant" starts with a consonant sound, requiring the indefinite article "a" instead of "an".

What's the difference between "a brilliant display" and "a simple display"?

"A brilliant display" suggests something impressive and skillfully executed, while "a simple display" implies something basic or uncomplicated.