a marvellous idea

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a marvellous idea" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing admiration or approval for a suggestion or concept that is considered excellent or inspiring. Example: "After discussing the project, I believe we have come up with a marvellous idea that will benefit everyone involved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Tech

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

A marvellous idea indeed.

Independent

It's a marvellous idea.

Independent

A marvellous idea, he said.

Independent

This is a marvellous idea.

The Guardian

The Eurosceptic punditry in Britain (but also in France) said a Greek referendum was a marvellous idea.

Independent

Android / iPhone / BlackBerry Makego is a marvellous idea from British artist and designer Chris O'Shea.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

He pronounces Racine "a marvellous mind".

The New Yorker

The story "Presence", for example, centres on the marvellous idea of a couple who are able to meet, by magical sci-fi means, the child they never had.

The Guardian - Books

Vernons Girl Joyce Baker, who would become Joyce Wilde when she married Marty in 1959, and later Kim's mum, highlights another aspect of Good's production: "Jack would have some marvellous idea about a hit song someone had sent from America, and he'd get the girls to do dance routines around that song.

The Guardian - Music

Duffy has the marvellous idea of making Vitalie the real seer in the family: she hears voices and has prophetic dreams.

The New Yorker

Rawlings has had the marvellous idea of presenting Penelope's perspective on the Odyssey by giving her a narrative poem of her own, written in long unrhymed lines reminiscent of Richmond Lattimore's Homer translations.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a marvellous idea" to express strong approval or admiration for a well-conceived plan or concept. It's especially effective when you want to convey enthusiasm and a sense of delight.

Common error

While "a marvellous idea" is grammatically sound, it can sound overly formal or affected in very casual conversations. Choose more natural alternatives like "a great idea" or "that's awesome" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a marvellous idea" functions primarily as a subject complement or predicate nominative. It typically follows a linking verb (such as 'is' or 'seems') to describe or rename the subject of the sentence. Ludwig confirms that this phrase can also function as an interjection expressing enthusiastic agreement.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Tech

8%

Opinion

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a marvellous idea" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression for conveying strong approval or admiration. Ludwig shows that it's especially prevalent in news and media contexts, with a slightly formal tone. While the phrase is clear and well-understood, it is more formal than other options available. Using related phrases like "a great idea" or "an excellent plan" is a good option to diversify your writing and it's also more appropriate for informal conversations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a wonderful concept

Replaces "marvellous" with "wonderful", maintaining a positive connotation but sounding slightly less formal.

an excellent plan

Substitutes both adjectives, providing a more standard and straightforward alternative.

a brilliant scheme

Uses "brilliant" to emphasize intelligence and cleverness of the idea, and "scheme" replaces "idea" with a slight implication of ingenuity.

a superb notion

Replaces both words with formal synonyms. "Superb" indicates high quality; "notion" refers to a general idea.

a fantastic proposal

Emphasizes the positive aspects of the idea, while "proposal" suggests a formal suggestion.

a remarkable suggestion

Indicates the idea is noteworthy or special, with suggestion highlighting that this is someone's idea being offered.

a truly great idea

Emphasizes the quality and importance of the idea.

a first-rate concept

Uses a more evaluative tone, emphasizing top quality.

a commendable thought

Highlights that the idea is praiseworthy.

a visionary approach

Suggests the idea is forward-thinking and innovative.

FAQs

What does "a marvellous idea" mean?

It means an exceptionally good, excellent, or impressive idea. The adjective "marvellous" amplifies the positivity of the idea.

Is "a marvellous idea" formal or informal?

It leans towards the formal side due to the word "marvellous". In less formal settings, phrases like "a great idea" or "a fantastic idea" might be more appropriate.

How can I use "a marvellous idea" in a sentence?

You can use it to express your agreement or enthusiasm for a proposed plan or concept, such as: "Declaring the area a national monument? That's "a marvellous idea"!"

What are some synonyms for "a marvellous idea"?

Alternatives include "an excellent plan", "a superb notion", or "a brilliant scheme", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.