a marvellous time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a marvellous time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an enjoyable or wonderful experience that someone had during an event or activity. Example: "We had a marvellous time at the concert last night, dancing and singing along to our favorite songs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

"I had a marvellous time.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I expect to have a marvellous time.

The Guardian - Music

"I've had such a marvellous time tonight.

The Guardian

Bud somehow had himself a marvellous time, even with the bruja's blue eye fixed on him.

The New Yorker

I am having a marvellous time in America and have just written my first short story.

The Guardian - Books

Me and her were the only two, and we had a marvellous time.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

iPhone / iPad Stick Cricket 2 (Free + IAP) The original Stick Cricket game remains a marvellous time-sucker, and while not all App Store reviewers love this sequel, there's plenty to enjoy.

The Guardian - Tech

The British feminist, Bea Campbell – no friend of James – remembers it as "a torrid, marvellous time, with groups being formed suddenly, and everywhere".

The Guardian - Books

I've had a most marvellous time with other games to have taken the basic concept of murder and turned it into more than just a bit-part player in a bigger picture – both Bulletstorm and (another Platinum title) MadWorld park any plotline originality to layer on extravagant ultra-violence until it smothers everything else to become the USP of each production.

Vice

I've had a marvellous old time, and also I've felt tired and sad at myself for some weeks afterwards.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"It was the most marvellous time — we felt we could remake the world," Pierre Troisgros recalls.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a marvellous time" to express genuine enjoyment or satisfaction with an event or experience. It adds a touch of sophistication and enthusiasm to your description.

Common error

While "a marvellous time" is perfectly acceptable, be mindful of your audience and the overall tone. In very informal settings, consider using a more casual alternative like "a great time" to avoid sounding overly formal or affected.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a marvellous time" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as an object or complement within a sentence. It describes an experience characterized by enjoyment, pleasure, or satisfaction. As Ludwig AI explains, it's a common and correct expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Books

25%

Sport

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a marvellous time" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to express enjoyment and positive experiences. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage. While "marvellous" has a slightly British English flavor, the phrase is widely understood. It appears most frequently in News & Media, Books, and Sport contexts. For more informal situations, consider alternatives like "a great time". Remember to use this phrase to express genuine enjoyment, but be mindful of your audience and adjust your language accordingly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a wonderful time

Replaces "marvellous" with "wonderful", a more common synonym expressing great enjoyment.

a fantastic time

Substitutes "marvellous" with "fantastic", conveying a sense of excitement and pleasure.

an amazing time

Employs "amazing" instead of "marvellous", suggesting a remarkable and highly enjoyable experience.

a great time

Uses "great" as a simpler, more general synonym for "marvellous", indicating a positive experience.

a lovely time

Employs "lovely" instead of "marvellous", suggesting a pleasant and agreeable experience.

a delightful time

Replaces "marvellous" with "delightful", emphasizing the pleasant and charming nature of the experience.

a terrific time

Substitutes "marvellous" with "terrific", conveying a sense of enthusiasm and enjoyment.

a fabulous time

Replaces "marvellous" with "fabulous", highlighting the exceptional and stylish nature of the experience.

a splendid time

Uses "splendid" as a more formal synonym for "marvellous", indicating a grand and impressive experience.

a sensational time

Uses "sensational" instead of "marvellous", emphasizing the exciting and impressive qualities of the experience.

FAQs

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

You can use alternatives like "a wonderful time", "a great time", or "a fantastic time" depending on the context.

Is "marvelous" or "marvellous" correct?

"Marvellous" is the British English spelling, while "marvelous" is the American English spelling. Both are correct, but use the spelling appropriate for your audience.

How formal is the phrase "a marvellous time"?

The phrase "a marvellous time" is considered slightly more formal than alternatives like "a great time" or "a good time", but it is still appropriate for a wide range of contexts.

Can "a marvellous time" be used sarcastically?

Yes, like many positive phrases, "a marvellous time" can be used sarcastically to imply the opposite, especially when the tone of voice or surrounding context suggests otherwise.