a great performance

USAGE SUMMARY

"a great performance" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe an event (such as a live show or a competitive athletic activity) that was particularly impressive. For example, "The singer gave a great performance at the concert last night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the process, a great performance emerged.

The New Yorker

He will deliver a great performance".

Independent

"It's a great performance on his part".

The New York Times - Sports

Miss Young gives a great performance.

Stanford University

It was a great performance," said Vettori.

The Guardian - Sport

It was a great performance tonight.

The New York Times - Sports

"That was a great performance Joe.

The Guardian - Music

Lee Dixon (BBC): "A great performance".

The Guardian - Sport

Mullins said: "That was a great performance.

The Guardian - Sport

Ready? Lee Dixon: "A great performance".

The Guardian - Sport

A great performance from Chiwetel Ejiofor.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a great performance", consider adding specific details about what made the performance great. For instance, mention the skill, creativity, or impact of the performance to provide context.

Common error

Avoid simply stating "it was a great performance" without providing any supporting details. This can sound insincere or uninformative. Always aim to highlight specific aspects that made the performance stand out.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a great performance" functions as a noun phrase, where "great" modifies the noun "performance". It serves to describe and characterize the performance as being of high quality. Ludwig AI confirms that is a correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Sport

29%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a great performance" is a widely used and grammatically sound phrase to express admiration for a high-quality event or action. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage. It functions as a noun phrase, primarily used to express approval and highlight the skill involved. While neutrally formal, its usage is most prevalent in News & Media and Sports contexts. When using the phrase, aim to provide specific details that justify the "great" descriptor to make your praise more impactful. Alternatives like "an outstanding performance" or "a remarkable performance" can add nuance, and do not forget to provide specific details that made the performance stand out.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an outstanding performance

Replaces "great" with "outstanding" for a slightly stronger emphasis on exceptional quality.

a remarkable performance

Substitutes "great" with "remarkable", highlighting the noteworthy or unusual nature of the performance.

an exceptional performance

Employs "exceptional" instead of "great" to underscore the performance's deviation from the norm in terms of quality.

a superb performance

Uses "superb" as a synonym for "great", suggesting an elegant and refined level of execution.

a brilliant display

Replaces "performance" with "display", focusing on the visual or presentational aspect of the performance.

a stellar performance

Replaces "great" with "stellar" to give the idea of a performance that shines like a star.

a masterful performance

Uses "masterful" instead of "great", emphasizing skill and control in the execution.

a first-rate performance

Employs "first-rate" as a synonym for "great", indicating high quality and excellence.

a top-notch performance

Substitutes "great" with "top-notch" for a more informal expression of high quality.

a commendable performance

Replaces "great" with "commendable", highlighting the praiseworthy nature of the performance.

FAQs

How can I use "a great performance" in a sentence?

You can use "a great performance" to describe an event where someone or something performs exceptionally well. For instance, "The team delivered "a great performance", winning the championship".

What can I say instead of "a great performance"?

You can use alternatives like "an outstanding performance", "a remarkable performance", or "an exceptional performance" depending on the context.

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

"A great performance" indicates a higher level of excellence compared to "a good performance". Use "a great performance" when you want to emphasize exceptional quality or skill.

What does it mean when someone says "it was a great performance"?

When someone says "it was "a great performance"", they are expressing admiration and approval for the high level of skill, execution, or impact demonstrated in the performance. It suggests that the performance exceeded expectations and was notably impressive.