a good clock

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a good clock" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a clock that functions well or has desirable features. Example: "I bought a new wall clock, and it's a good clock that keeps perfect time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"It's a good clock, but atomic standards are much better".

The New York Times - Tech

Every home needs a good clock, but we never expected one so elegant or tuneful.

The New York Times

In Newtonian mechanics, a "clock" (or a "good clock") is a physical system with a certain sort of dynamical structure.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A good clock is simply a physical system with parts whose positions are correlated with the physical properties of the rest of the universe by means of a simple and powerful law.

Encyclopedia Britannica

From a relationist perspective, whether something is a clock (or a good clock) has nothing to do with correlations between the configuration of the clock face and "what time it is" or between changes in the configuration of the clock face and "how much time has passed"—since, for a relationist, there are no facts about what time it is or about how much time a certain process takes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

If we represent a process by its world-line in space-time, the proper time of the process is the time read by a good clock that moves with the process along its world-line.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"All you need is a good alarm clock and a flashlight," said David Cook, a wildlife biologist with the Florida Wildlife Commission.

The New York Times

Hours are also spent sitting around while costumes and sets are prepared, or other scenes are shot, and a good alarm clock is vital, too, as the most common start time is 7am.

The Guardian - Money

In this way, DNA degradation increase with prolongation of time of death and thus, this could be a good molecular clock for TSD estimation.

Egyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences

"He's at the top of his game and if he stays injury free, he's got a good old clock in his head".

BBC

"He has a good old clock in his head," father Ted Walsh says of his son Ruby, the Cheltenham Festival's top jockey.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a clock, specify what makes it "good". Is it accurate, reliable, aesthetically pleasing, or have additional features?

Common error

Avoid using "a good clock" without providing specific details. Instead of saying "This is a good clock", explain why it's good: "This is a good clock because it's atomic and never loses time."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a good clock" functions primarily as a noun phrase acting as the object or subject complement in a sentence. It modifies the noun "clock" with the adjective "good", indicating a positive attribute. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a good clock" is a grammatically sound and readily understandable expression for describing a clock that meets specific quality standards. As Ludwig AI states, this phrase is usable in written English. Although "a good clock" is not extremely common, it is used across various domains, and the specific quality depends on context. To use this phrase effectively, it's best to give specifics of why the clock is "good" as it allows more precise communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a reliable clock

Focuses on the clock's dependability in keeping time.

an accurate clock

Emphasizes the clock's precision in displaying the correct time.

a quality clock

Highlights the superior build and materials of the clock.

a well-made clock

Stresses the craftsmanship and construction of the clock.

a dependable timepiece

Uses a more formal term for clock, emphasizing its reliability.

a precise clock

Similar to "accurate clock", but may suggest an even higher level of exactness.

a functional clock

Highlights that the clock serves its purpose effectively.

a working clock

Simple term describing that the clock is currently in operation.

a decent clock

Indicates that the clock is of acceptable, though not necessarily outstanding, quality.

a serviceable clock

Emphasizes the clock's ability to meet basic timekeeping needs.

FAQs

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

You can use "a good clock" to describe a timepiece that functions well or meets certain criteria. For instance, "He needed "a reliable clock" for his science experiment" or "The antique store had "a quality clock" in its window display".

What are some alternatives to "a good clock"?

Alternatives include "a reliable clock", "an accurate clock", or "a well-made clock". The best choice depends on the specific quality you want to emphasize.

What makes a clock "good"?

A "good" clock usually possesses qualities like accuracy, reliability, durability, and aesthetic appeal. It accurately tells time and continues to do so consistently over a period of time.

Is it better to say "a good clock" or "a great clock"?

Both "a good clock" and "a great clock" are acceptable, but "a great clock" suggests a higher level of excellence or impressiveness. "A good clock" implies it meets the basic requirements of being functional and reliable.