a lovely thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a lovely thing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is delightful, pleasing, or charming. Example: "The garden was filled with a lovely thing, the blooming flowers that danced in the gentle breeze."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

General Conversation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Babies are a lovely thing.

Independent

It's a lovely thing.

The New Yorker

A white sail is a lovely thing.

The New Yorker

It was a lovely thing to witness".

Independent

"This is a lovely thing," he said.

The New Yorker

It's such a lovely thing.

The Guardian

This is a lovely thing, of course.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Peace of mind is a lovely thing.

The Guardian - Books

It was a lovely thing to do.

The Guardian - Music

A frill should be a lovely thing.

The New Yorker

A lovely thing, but much too small to keep.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a lovely thing" to express genuine appreciation for simple pleasures or unexpected acts of kindness. It is particularly effective in informal settings or personal reflections.

Common error

While "a lovely thing" is generally appropriate, avoid overuse in formal writing or business contexts where more sophisticated or specific language might be more impactful. Consider alternatives like "admirable quality" or "noteworthy feature".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lovely thing" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or an object of a preposition. It denotes something regarded with affection, pleasure, or admiration. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Lifestyle

25%

General Conversation

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a lovely thing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for conveying pleasure and appreciation. Ludwig AI identifies it as correct, common, and versatile. While predominantly found in news, media, and lifestyle content, its neutral to slightly informal tone requires careful consideration for formal writing. Remember to leverage it effectively in settings where a genuine expression of delight is warranted, while considering more sophisticated alternatives for formal contexts. The various example sentences showcase the versatility and wide applicability of this simple yet evocative phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a delightful matter

Replaces "thing" with "matter" to emphasize the subject or situation being found pleasing.

a wonderful object

Substitutes "thing" with "object", indicating something tangible that inspires admiration.

a charming item

Replaces "thing" with "item", suggesting something that has appeal or attractive qualities.

a pleasing aspect

Changes "thing" to "aspect" to describe a quality or characteristic found agreeable.

an admirable trait

Emphasizes a specific quality as deserving recognition and respect.

a precious element

Replaces "thing" with "element" and "lovely" with "precious" to convey that something is important or valuable.

a joyous occurrence

Substitutes the query with "occurrence" to describe a particularly delightful event or incident.

a welcome addition

Indicates something that enhances a situation or experience and is pleasantly received.

a heartening sight

Describes a view or scene that inspires feelings of happiness and encouragement.

a gratifying experience

Highlights the sense of satisfaction and pleasure derived from an event or undertaking.

FAQs

How can I use "a lovely thing" in a sentence?

You can use "a lovely thing" to describe something pleasing or delightful. For example, "The unexpected sunshine was a lovely thing after days of rain."

What's a good alternative to "a lovely thing"?

Consider alternatives such as "a beautiful thing", "a delightful thing", or "a wonderful thing" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it okay to use "a lovely thing" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a lovely thing" might be perceived as too informal for some formal contexts. Choose more sophisticated synonyms if you want a more professional tone.

What makes "a lovely thing" different from "a good thing"?

"A good thing" generally implies something beneficial or advantageous, while "a lovely thing" suggests something that is aesthetically pleasing or emotionally gratifying. "A good thing" is more utilitarian, whereas "a lovely thing" evokes a sense of charm or delight.