a formidable evening

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a formidable evening" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an evening that is impressive, powerful, or challenging in some way, often in a positive context. Example: "The gala was a formidable evening, filled with inspiring speeches and captivating performances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The house then gets down to business with the first of next week's blockbuster sales of Impressionist and modern art (Nov. 3), in a formidable evening auction that includes Munch's sinister "Vampire," from 1894, as well as one of Degas's enchanting ballerina paintings ("Danseuse au Repos") and a Cubist harlequin by Picasso.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

He gave a plug to Hillary on ABC News last night, calling her a "formidable candidate," even under pressure, who "understands the klieg lights".

The New York Times

He had plenty of time for it, because the taxi he was driving was inert, hemmed in from all sides by London's formidable midmorning gridlock.

The New York Times

The former Wawffactor (the Welsh equivalent of Pop Idol) contestant possesses a formidable screech, and tonight her brief seven-song set, all from her deliriously successful debut album Rockferry, slipped by unobjectionably.

Independent

Yet that claim received a formidable rebuke on Wednesday night when, one by one, residents of Oregon's rural Harney County stood before a microphone at the county fairgrounds to denounce the occupation on their doorstep.

The Guardian

But Mr. Del Tredici is a formidable pianist, and last Tuesday evening he played a program in which his complete works for solo piano made up the first half, with a substantial new song cycle after the intermission.

The New York Times - Arts

But he proved again last night that he is a formidable performer in these kind of situation.

Independent

As predicted on these pages this morning, England have posted a formidable and potentially match-winning total.

The Guardian - Sport

It is interesting to note that during Archimedes time algebraic and trigonometric notations, and our present decimal system were not available, and hence he had to derive recurrence relations (2) geometrically, and certainly for him the computation of a 96 and b 96 must have been a formidable task.

Advances in Difference Equations

In his winning speech, he declared the prize "ours" and he stands by his admiration for his five "formidable" contenders this morning.

Independent

On Friday, Gavin Robinson said: "I think Naomi Long is a formidable politician - I didn't say it in my speech last night, as I say, I'm reflecting this morning it's been long and difficult".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a formidable evening" to describe events that are not only impressive but also potentially challenging or demanding great respect.

Common error

Avoid using "formidable" too frequently; it can sound repetitive. Vary your descriptions by using synonyms like "impressive", "remarkable", or "powerful" to maintain the reader's interest.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a formidable evening" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying the noun "evening". The adjective "formidable" characterizes the evening as something impressive, powerful, or challenging. Ludwig AI confirms that the usage is grammatically correct and found in reliable sources.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a formidable evening" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe an evening that is impressive, powerful, or challenging. As indicated by Ludwig AI, while the phrase is accurate, it's relatively rare. It often appears in news and media contexts to convey the significant impact or intensity of an event. For variety in writing, consider using alternatives like "an impressive evening" or "a remarkable evening". Using "formidable" sparingly helps maintain its impact and avoids repetition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an impressive night

Substitutes "formidable" with a more general term for admiration.

a remarkable evening

Replaces "formidable" with a term emphasizing the unusual or noteworthy quality of the evening.

a powerful evening

Focuses on the strength or impact of the evening's events or atmosphere.

an unforgettable night

Shifts the emphasis to the lasting impression the evening leaves.

a memorable evening

Similar to "unforgettable night", highlighting the lasting quality.

a momentous night

Suggests the evening was significant or historically important.

an eventful evening

Emphasizes that the evening was filled with many occurrences or activities.

a significant night

Highlights the importance or consequence of the evening.

a stunning evening

Replaces "formidable" with an emphasis on visual beauty or spectacle.

an impactful evening

Highlights the effect or influence of the night.

FAQs

How can I use "a formidable evening" in a sentence?

You can use "a formidable evening" to describe an event that is impressive, challenging, or demanding respect. For example, "The auction promised to be "a formidable evening" with masterpieces on display."

What's the difference between "a formidable evening" and "an impressive evening"?

"A formidable evening" suggests something more than just impressiveness; it implies a sense of power, challenge, or demanding respect. While "an impressive evening" is simply notable, "a formidable evening" carries a stronger connotation.

Which is correct, "a formidable evening" or "a formidably evening"?

"A formidable evening" is correct. "Formidable" is an adjective modifying the noun "evening". "Formidably" is an adverb and would be used to modify a verb, not a noun.

What are some alternatives to using "a formidable evening"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "an impressive night", "a remarkable evening", or "a powerful evening".