a good time

USAGE SUMMARY

"a good time" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to refer to a time period that is enjoyable or fun. For example, "We had a good time at the party last night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Now's a good time".

The New York Times

Everybody had a good time.

The New Yorker

You'll have a good time".

The New Yorker

"We had a good time.

The New York Times

Was this a good time?

The New Yorker

I had a good time".

The New York Times

Now is a good time.

The New Yorker

It's always a good time".

The New York Times - Sports

"We're having a good time.

The New York Times - Sports

That was a good time.

Independent

I have a good time".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a good time", consider the audience and purpose of your writing. While suitable for informal communication, it can also be appropriate for more formal contexts depending on the specific situation.

Common error

Avoid using "a good time" excessively in highly formal or professional writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "an enjoyable experience" or "a productive period" to maintain a polished and authoritative tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a good time" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the object of a verb, describing an enjoyable or positive experience. Ludwig examples show it used to express enjoyment or suitability of a moment. Ludwig AI validates that the phrase is correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a good time" is a common and generally acceptable expression used to describe an enjoyable or pleasant experience. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and appears frequently in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While versatile, it's important to consider the audience and context, opting for more formal alternatives in professional settings. Being aware of its communicative purpose and register helps to ensure its effective and appropriate use in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an enjoyable experience

Focuses on the quality of the experience rather than the time spent.

a great experience

Highlights the exceptional quality and positive impact of the experience.

a pleasant moment

Emphasizes the brevity and agreeableness of the time.

a wonderful moment

Emphasizes the feeling of awe and pleasure associated with the time.

a fun occasion

Highlights the celebratory nature of the event.

a fantastic occasion

Conveys a sense of excitement and delight regarding the event.

a delightful period

Stresses the charming and pleasing aspect of the duration.

an excellent period

Stresses the high quality and favorable nature of the time span.

a memorable event

Focuses on the lasting impact and significance of the time.

an unforgettable event

Focuses on the lasting impact and importance, suggesting it will be remembered fondly.

FAQs

What does "a good time" mean?

"A good time" generally means an enjoyable or pleasant experience. It implies that the person or people involved had fun and positive feelings during a particular period or event.

What can I say instead of "a good time"?

You can use alternatives like "an enjoyable experience", "a pleasant moment", or "a fun occasion" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a good time" in formal writing?

While "a good time" is generally acceptable, it might be better to use more formal alternatives like "an enjoyable experience" or "a productive period" in formal writing to maintain a professional tone.

How to use "a good time" in a sentence?

You can use "a good time" in various ways. For example, "We had "a good time" at the party last night" or "Now is "a good time" to start planning your vacation".