a nice move

USAGE SUMMARY

"a nice move" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is a noun phrase that can modify a verb or describe an action. It can be used in various contexts, such as to describe a physical movement, a strategic decision, or a social interaction. Example: He made a nice move on the dance floor, effortlessly gliding across the room with grace and style.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

And Sadorra's 18... Rad8 was a nice move, too.

The New York Times

But if he can stay healthy, it could end up being a nice move.

The New York Times

"If he makes a nice move, you kind of catch yourself.

The New Yorker

The early skirmishing was scrappy but Ndiaye's goal came at the end of a nice move.

The Guardian - Sport

Kosintseva's 18 c4 was a nice move, prying open the d file.

The New York Times

I went down and he made a nice move toward me.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

"We've had a really nice move up here.

The New York Times

Q. Military contractors' stocks had a very nice move last year.

The New York Times

"It is a bit of a struggle in terms of finances," he said, "but if I let go of that, it was a very nice move.

The New York Times

"The market has had a very nice move up over the last month or so, especially technology stocks, and the averages and individual stocks are very overbought," said Kenneth M. Sheinberg, head of listed trading at SG Cowen.

The New York Times

He pulled the ol' "Oh, shit...it's all of you?" prank before cracking a smile (nice move, breaks the ice with strangers), then showed us to our quarters in his baby's temporarily vacant playroom.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a strategic decision, use "a nice move" to positively highlight the ingenuity or effectiveness of the action. For example, "Hiring a new marketing director was a nice move to increase brand awareness."

Common error

Avoid using "a nice move" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated vocabulary like "strategic decision" or "commendable action" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a nice move" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object of a verb. As noted by Ludwig, it indicates approval or commendation. It often modifies verbs such as 'was', 'made', or 'seemed'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

11%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a nice move" is a commonly used noun phrase that expresses approval or positive evaluation of an action or decision. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and versatility across various contexts. While appropriate for neutral registers, such as news and media, it may be less suitable for formal academic writing. Consider alternatives like "strategic decision" or "commendable action" in such settings. Key sources like The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employ this phrase to highlight ingenuity or effectiveness. When using "a nice move", ensure it accurately reflects the positive impact of the action being described, and be mindful of the overall tone and formality of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a positive step

Substitutes 'nice' with 'positive', broadening the context to any beneficial action.

a smart decision

Substitutes 'move' with 'decision' and 'nice' with 'smart', highlighting the intelligence behind the action.

an effective step

Replaces 'move' with 'step' and 'nice' with 'effective', focusing on the impact of the action.

a beneficial change

Replaces 'move' with 'change' and 'nice' with 'beneficial', focusing on the positive outcome of the action.

a commendable action

Replaces 'move' with 'action' and 'nice' with 'commendable', focusing on the praiseworthy aspect.

a skillful play

Changes 'move' to 'play' and 'nice' to 'skillful', used in contexts like sports or games.

an excellent maneuver

Replaces 'move' with 'maneuver' and 'nice' with 'excellent', emphasizing skill and effectiveness.

a well-executed strategy

Changes 'move' to 'strategy' and 'nice' to 'well-executed', indicating careful planning and successful implementation.

a thoughtful act

Substitutes 'move' with 'act' and 'nice' with 'thoughtful', emphasizing consideration.

a welcome gesture

Replaces 'move' with 'gesture' and 'nice' with 'welcome', suitable for social or diplomatic contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "a nice move" in a sentence?

You can use "a nice move" to describe a smart or effective action, such as in the sentence, "The company's decision to invest in renewable energy was "a nice move" for both their image and the environment."

What are some alternatives to saying "a nice move"?

Instead of "a nice move", consider using phrases like "a smart decision", "a commendable action", or "an effective step" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a nice move" in formal writing?

While "a nice move" is widely understood, it may be too informal for academic or business contexts. In such cases, opt for more professional alternatives like "a strategic decision" or "a beneficial change".

What does it mean when someone says "a nice move"?

When someone says "a nice move", they are typically expressing approval or admiration for an action taken, suggesting that it was intelligent, effective, or beneficial. It implies that the move was well-considered and had a positive impact.