a great race

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a great race" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a competition or event that is notable for its quality or significance, often in the context of sports or contests. Example: "The marathon was not just a test of endurance; it was a great race that brought together runners from all over the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He skated a great race.

The New York Times - Sports

It's a great race".

The Guardian - Sport

Not a great race.

The Guardian - Sport

You all missed a great race.

The New Yorker

"She ran a great race.

The New York Times - Sports

She said: "It wasn't a great race.

Independent

It was a great race," she said.

The Guardian - Sport

It would have been a great race.

The Guardian - Sport

"That was a great race coming back.

The New York Times - Sports

It obviously is a great race.

The New York Times - Sports

They have a great race team.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a great race" to positively describe a competition, but ensure the context supports the compliment; otherwise, choose a more neutral descriptor.

Common error

Avoid using "a great race" too generically; instead, specify what made the race "great": the competition, the sportsmanship, or the unexpected outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a great race" functions primarily as a noun phrase, with "great" acting as a descriptive adjective modifying the noun "race". Ludwig AI confirms its common usage in describing sporting events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

99%

Formal & Business

0.3%

Science

0.3%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a great race" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express admiration for a race or competition, particularly in news and media. Ludwig confirms its correctness and wide applicability. While "great" is a positive descriptor, it's advisable to use it judiciously, ensuring it accurately reflects the event. Consider specifying what made the race "great" for more impactful writing. Alternatives include "an exciting competition" or "a thrilling contest". With an expert rating of 4.6, this phrase holds its ground as a valuable descriptor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an exciting competition

Replaces "great" with "exciting" and "race" with "competition", highlighting the thrill of the event.

a thrilling contest

Substitutes "great" with "thrilling" and "race" with "contest", emphasizing the suspenseful nature.

a remarkable competition

Uses "remarkable" instead of "great" and "competition" instead of "race", underscoring the noteworthiness.

an outstanding contest

Replaces "great" with "outstanding" and "race" with "contest", focusing on the superior quality.

a superb athletic event

Changes "great" to "superb", "race" to "athletic event", emphasizing quality and the nature of the competition.

a fantastic sporting event

Substitutes "great" with "fantastic", "race" with "sporting event", conveying excitement and general context.

a memorable competition

Replaces "great" with "memorable" and "race" with "competition", focusing on the unforgettable aspect of the event.

a top-tier event

Changes "great" to "top-tier" and "race" to "event", highlighting the high level of competition.

an excellent contest

Uses "excellent" instead of "great" and "contest" instead of "race", maintaining a positive evaluation.

a first-rate competition

Replaces "great" with "first-rate" and "race" with "competition", emphasizing the high standard.

FAQs

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

You can use "a great race" to describe a competition that was exciting, well-fought, or otherwise remarkable. For example, "The Formula 1 event turned out to be a great race because of the unexpected twists and turns."

What are some alternatives to saying "a great race"?

Alternatives include "an exciting competition", "a thrilling contest", or "a remarkable competition" depending on the specific aspect you want to emphasize.

Is it always appropriate to describe an event as "a great race"?

While grammatically correct, describing an event as "a great race" implies a positive assessment. Ensure this aligns with the reality of the event and your intended message. If the race was marred by controversy or poor performance, a different descriptor might be more suitable.

What makes "a great race" different from just "a race"?

Adding the adjective "great" elevates the description, indicating the race was particularly memorable, well-contested, or significant in some way. It adds a layer of subjective praise that "a race" lacks.