a good bit

USAGE SUMMARY

"a good bit" is correct and usable in written English.
You use it to mean a significant or large amount of something. For example, "I've learned a good bit about carpentry since I started my apprenticeship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Godwin spills a good bit of ink in self-­flagellation.

The New York Times - Books

"They got a good bit.

The New Yorker

Since a good bit before, actually.

The New Yorker

There was a good bit coming up.

The Guardian

A good bit of fruit in that.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

There's also a good bit of tedium.

The Guardian - Music

A good bit of stodge restores calm.

The Guardian

"It's something I have looked at a good bit".

The New York Times

A good bit later, the police finally arrive.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I've played in a good bit of these," Dufner said.

The New York Times

Location accounts for a good bit of Albany's appeal.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a good bit" to indicate a noticeable quantity or degree when precision is not critical but emphasis is desired. For example, "He spent a good bit of time researching the topic."

Common error

While "a good bit" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid it in highly formal or academic writing where more precise language is expected. Opt for phrases like "a significant amount" or "a considerable portion" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a good bit" functions as a quantifier, indicating a significant, though not precisely defined, amount or degree. Ludwig's examples show it modifying nouns like "tedium", "fruit", and even abstract concepts like "belief".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

21%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a good bit" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a notable quantity or degree. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely applicable in various contexts. While particularly common in news and media, its usage extends to scientific and academic writing as well. When aiming for heightened formality or scientific accuracy, consider alternatives like "a substantial amount" or "a significant portion". Remember to use "a good bit" with uncountable nouns. In conclusion, "a good bit" is a useful addition to your vocabulary, provided you're mindful of the context and desired register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a substantial amount

Emphasizes the considerable quantity of something.

a significant portion

Highlights that the part is meaningful in size.

a considerable quantity

Focuses on the amount being worth taking into account.

a fair amount

Suggests a reasonable and acceptable quantity.

quite a lot

More informal, indicating a large quantity.

a large chunk

Emphasizes that something is a large and important portion.

a sizeable piece

Implies that something is of considerable size.

a healthy dose

Implies that something is present in an ample and beneficial quantity.

an appreciable extent

Suggests the existence of something noteworthy in magnitude or size.

a decent share

Refers to something fairly distributed, with reasonable quantity.

FAQs

How can I use "a good bit" in a sentence?

You can use "a good bit" to describe a notable quantity or degree of something. For example, "She invested "a good bit" of money in the stock market" or "He dedicated "a good bit" of time to volunteering".

What phrases are similar to "a good bit"?

Alternatives to "a good bit" include "a substantial amount", "a significant portion", or "a considerable quantity". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it ever inappropriate to use "a good bit"?

While generally acceptable, "a good bit" might be too informal for highly formal or academic writing. In those contexts, consider more precise alternatives like "a significant amount" or "a considerable portion".

Can "a good bit" be used with countable nouns?

"A good bit" is generally used with uncountable nouns (e.g., time, money, effort). For countable nouns, use phrases like "a good number of" or "a good many".