a good sort

USAGE SUMMARY

"a good sort" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe someone as kind, pleasant, or agreeable. Example: "She's a good sort, always willing to help others." Alternative expressions include "a nice person," "a decent fellow," or "a good person."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

It's one step at a time at the moment but he's a good sort of horse.

Independent

Still, Mr. Platt praised the special as "a good sort of general survey".

The New York Times

Just 19, lot of game, something of a good sort, I'm predicting a Big Future.

The Guardian - Sport

One: by buying it, it showed that the lady was a good sort.

The Guardian - Arts

The idea is that we have to have a good sort of life for people in our countries.

The New York Times

"I like them actually, they give me inspiration, when I'm tired and I see a good sort walking, wriggling about".

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

But that doesn't mean your overstuffed closet couldn't use a good sorting.

The New Yorker

So, the highly stratified educational system seems even not to function as a good sorting system for well performing migrant children from the higher social classes.

Large-scale Assessments in Education

What a good sort-of-brother-in-law.

HuffPost

A useful way to determine their house is to find a good sorting hat quiz, then choose the answers as your character would!

WikiHow

A good sorting process will be to place your alpaca, wool, cotton, novelty, etc. yarn types so that you can easily find the right yarn type for the right project.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone as "a good sort", ensure the context provides specific examples of their positive attributes, such as kindness or reliability, to strengthen the assessment.

Common error

Avoid using "a good sort" as a generic compliment. Instead, provide specific details about the person's actions or character that justify the description. For example, instead of simply saying "He's a good sort", say "He's a good sort because he always helps his neighbors with their groceries."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a good sort" primarily functions as a descriptive term or an adjective phrase used to characterize an individual. It indicates that someone is considered to be kind, agreeable, and of good moral character, according to Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a good sort" is a phrase used to describe someone with positive qualities like kindness and reliability. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and its common usage across various contexts, especially in News & Media. While its register is generally neutral, it's important to use the phrase with specific context to avoid vagueness. Alternatives such as ""a decent person"" or ""a kind individual"" may be more appropriate depending on the specific qualities you want to highlight. Use "a good sort" to express your appreciation of someone's character, providing concrete examples to support your assessment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a decent person

Focuses more on moral character and integrity.

a kind individual

Highlights the kindness and thoughtfulness of the person.

an agreeable fellow

Emphasizes the pleasant and cooperative nature of the person.

a pleasant character

Highlights the likable and charming qualities.

a good egg

An informal and affectionate term for a good-natured person.

a stand-up guy

Focuses on the person's honesty and reliability.

a gem of a person

Emphasizes the rarity and preciousness of their good qualities.

a salt of the earth type

Highlights the person's fundamental goodness and honesty.

a good soul

Focuses on the inherent goodness and compassion of the person.

a credit to society

Emphasizes the positive contribution the person makes to the community.

FAQs

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

You can use "a good sort" to describe someone who is kind, agreeable, or reliable. For example, "Despite his gruff exterior, he's "a good sort", always willing to lend a hand."

What are some alternatives to saying "a good sort"?

Alternatives include "a decent person", "a kind individual", or "an agreeable fellow", depending on the specific quality you want to emphasize.

Is "a good sort" formal or informal?

"A good sort" is generally considered to be an informal expression, more common in casual conversation than in formal writing.

What does it mean when someone is described as "a good sort"?

It generally implies that the person is seen as kind, reliable, and of good character. It's a positive assessment of their personality and behavior.