a pleasant outing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a pleasant outing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an enjoyable trip or excursion, often in a social context. Example: "We had a lovely day at the park; it was truly a pleasant outing for the whole family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

My wife and I accompanied her on a pleasant outing; once again, Joey had come through.

The New York Times - Sports

Earlier, Rangoon published photographs with satirical captions suggesting that the encampment of Ms Suu Kyi's small group in the suburb of Dala was just a pleasant outing.

The Guardian

In a statement today, the Myanmar government maintained its somewhat mocking tone toward the standoff, which it has portrayed as a pleasant outing in the countryside.

The New York Times

THE weekly trip to the Laundromat seems like a pleasant outing compared with the daily load or two I do routinely at home.

The New York Times - Travel

It's not just a pleasant outing with family or friends, or to introduce children (whose lives are a cavalcade of animal images) to real animals, though those are still big reasons.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The modest size (just four lifts, 34 runs and 1,150ft of vertical) didn't set my heart racing, but heaps of powder, no lift queues and fun skiing on groomed trails, makes for a pleasant ski outing and kept me entertained for a day.

Independent

The initial-less name conjures feminine images of pleasant outings and warm cookies, she said, and the initial adds a masculine quality and a level of mystery.

The New York Times

The outing lasted six hours and began with a pleasant stroll through sitka spruce and black cottonwood trees.

The Guardian - Travel

When setting up Renaissance, Simons told me, he made sure that, despite the extraordinary pressure, his firm was a pleasant and stimulating place to work, with frequent lectures and outings.

The New Yorker

Also a pleasant surprise, recovered from the bad ideas file: Pete's Dragon (Disney, PG), a widely unrequested remake of an inoffensive enough Disney outing from 1977.

The Guardian - Film

Not a pleasant prospect.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a pleasant outing" to describe a planned and enjoyable trip, especially when highlighting its social or recreational aspects.

Common error

Avoid using "a pleasant outing" in highly formal or technical contexts where more precise language is required. While generally appropriate, ensure it fits the tone of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a pleasant outing" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a specific type of event, namely an enjoyable and agreeable excursion. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a pleasant outing" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe an enjoyable trip or excursion. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and the examples show its prevalence in News & Media. It is considered a neutral to slightly informal expression. Related phrases include "an enjoyable excursion" and "a delightful trip". When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the tone of your writing and avoid overly formal or technical contexts. Overall, "a pleasant outing" is a reliable phrase for describing positive experiences during planned trips.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an enjoyable excursion

Replaces "pleasant" with "enjoyable" and "outing" with "excursion", both synonyms that maintain the positive connotation and general meaning.

a delightful trip

Substitutes "pleasant" with "delightful", emphasizing the positive and pleasurable nature of the journey, while "trip" is a simpler synonym for "outing".

a lovely excursion

Uses "lovely" in place of "pleasant", conveying a sense of charm and beauty, while retaining "excursion" as a more formal alternative to "outing".

a nice day out

Replaces "pleasant outing" with a more casual phrase, focusing on the positive experience of spending a day outside.

a fun trip

Emphasizes the enjoyable and entertaining aspect of the outing, using the word "fun" to describe the trip.

a good time out

Focuses on the overall positive experience, using the more general term "good time" to describe the outing.

a satisfying adventure

Highlights the fulfilling and enriching nature of the outing, using the term "adventure" to suggest exploration and discovery.

a welcome break

Shifts the focus to the refreshing and restorative aspect of the outing, portraying it as a much-needed escape from routine.

a recreational activity

Uses a more formal and general term to describe the outing, emphasizing its role in leisure and relaxation.

a leisurely expedition

Combines the ideas of relaxation and exploration, suggesting a slow-paced and enjoyable journey.

FAQs

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

You can use "a pleasant outing" to describe an enjoyable trip or excursion. For example, "We had a lovely picnic; it was truly "a pleasant outing" for the whole family".

What are some synonyms for "a pleasant outing"?

Alternatives include "an enjoyable excursion", "a delightful trip", or "a nice day out", depending on the specific context.

Is "a pleasant outing" formal or informal?

"A pleasant outing" is generally considered to be a neutral to slightly informal expression, suitable for everyday conversation and writing.

Can "a pleasant outing" be used to describe a negative experience sarcastically?

Yes, in certain contexts, "a pleasant outing" can be used sarcastically to describe a negative experience, emphasizing the contrast between the expectation and reality. However, this usage relies heavily on tone and context.