a nice outing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a nice outing" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe a pleasant outing or excursion that someone took. For example: Yesterday, we had a nice outing to the beach.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

A nice outing.

The New York Times - Arts

To them, it's just something fun to do, a nice outing.

The New York Times

Otherwise, the Mets received a nice outing from Batista, who recovered from a shaky first two innings to earn his 100th career victory.

The New York Times - Sports

Woodbury Common is trying to promote itself as "a nice outing" for city residents and is arranging "shop and stay" package deals with nearby bed-and-breakfasts, said Michele Rothstein, a spokeswoman for the outlet mall.

The New York Times

I had planned a nice outing, but now, not only was my child was having a temper in a public place, but I was being tested.

Huffington Post

While the babies are still a little too young for any actual playing, it was a nice outing for their parents.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

"It's a very nice outing, pitching against the Yankees and a performance like that," Darvish told MLB.com.

The New York Times

"I thought a trip round Tesco might be a nice little outing for us both.

Independent

If you can't bring provisions, the grocery store makes a nice family outing.

Huffington Post

Zack Handlen of The A.V. Club wrote that "Christmas Attack Zone" was a "nice holiday outing with a lot of great gag-writing", however "...I wouldn't put this up there with the show's best Christmas episodes.

Wikipedia

We did have a really nice picturesque outing at the Opera Bar at the Sydney Opera House and had a beautiful view of sunset over Sydney Harbor.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a nice outing" to describe casual, enjoyable excursions or activities, such as family trips, social gatherings, or recreational events. It is appropriate in most informal and semi-formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "a nice outing" in highly formal or professional writing. Instead, opt for more sophisticated alternatives such as "a planned excursion" or "a business retreat" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a nice outing" functions as a noun phrase that describes a particular type of event or activity. It modifies the noun "outing" with the adjective "nice", indicating that the outing is enjoyable or pleasant. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

21%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a nice outing" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a pleasant excursion or activity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news media and informal communications. While it's best suited for neutral to informal settings, more formal alternatives exist for professional or academic writing. The phrase effectively conveys a positive experience and is often used to describe casual social gatherings or recreational events. Always consider the context and audience to ensure the most appropriate choice of words.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a wonderful outing

Replaces "nice" with "wonderful", intensifying the positive sentiment.

a pleasant excursion

Replaces "outing" with a more formal term, "excursion", implying a planned trip.

a delightful trip

Substitutes "nice" with "delightful", adding a stronger sense of enjoyment.

an enjoyable day out

Replaces "outing" with "day out", focusing on the duration of the activity.

a charming expedition

Uses "expedition" for a more adventurous and exploratory connotation.

a fun adventure

Changes "outing" to "adventure", suggesting a more exciting and less routine experience.

a lovely experience

Shifts the focus from the activity to the overall positive feeling it evokes.

a fulfilling activity

Focuses on the sense of satisfaction derived from the outing.

a relaxing getaway

Highlights the aspect of escape and relaxation associated with the outing.

a great time

Simplifies the phrase to express general enjoyment without specifying the activity.

FAQs

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

You can use "a nice outing" to describe a pleasant trip or activity. For example, "We had "a nice outing" to the park yesterday" or "The company organized "a nice outing" for its employees".

What's a more formal alternative to "a nice outing"?

For more formal situations, consider using phrases like "a pleasant excursion", "an enjoyable activity", or "a well-organized event" depending on the context.

Is "a nice outing" suitable for professional communication?

While "a nice outing" is generally acceptable, it may sound too casual for certain professional contexts. Consider using more formal alternatives like "a corporate retreat" or "a team-building exercise" for business-related scenarios.

What's the difference between "a nice outing" and "a fun adventure"?

"A nice outing" typically refers to a relaxed and enjoyable activity, while "a fun adventure" suggests a more exciting and potentially challenging experience. The choice depends on the specific nature of the activity you're describing.