a prodigious feat

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a prodigious feat" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an impressive or extraordinary achievement or accomplishment. Example: "Completing the marathon in under three hours was truly a prodigious feat."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

It will require a prodigious feat of managerial wizardry to pull that off.

The Economist

It's also beautiful, and achieving that unlikely balance is a prodigious feat.

The New York Times - Books

By a prodigious feat of research, Emma Rothschild unearthed a treasure-trove of documentary evidence about them.

Independent

It is probably fitting that a piece celebrating hard work should itself be a prodigious feat of labor.

The New York Times

This Woodhouse accomplished after a prodigious feat of high-speed walking, sometimes for 15 hours at a stretch across rugged mountains.

The Guardian

Language acquisition is a prodigious feat that requires abstracting rules for the use of sounds, words, grammar, and appropriate ways to convey desired meaning in a variety of social contexts.

International Encyclopedia of Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

"To keep that rhythm of output up for the length that he did was a simply prodigious feat.

The Guardian - Music

The shuttles had two crowning achievements: launching and repairing the Hubble Space Telescope, whose breathtaking images have revolutionized astronomy; and assembling the space station, a prodigious engineering feat.

The New York Times

The creation of the 2,000-mile 2,000-milehat linked the East with the fledgling West was a prailroads engineering feathatth an immense polinkedl and cultheal impact on AmEastan history.

The New York Times - Books

MAG MAG — for massive action game — promises to allow 256 players to blast away at one another simultaneously on one uninterrupted, virtually seamless near-future battlefield, a prodigious technical feat.

The New York Times - Arts

Yes, Spore is undeniably gorgeous; Mr. Wright and his development team at Maxis have accomplished a prodigious technical feat with the programming that allows members of Spore's interstellar menagerie variously to walk, stalk, flop and fly as they befriend and devour one another.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context. While "a prodigious feat" is generally appropriate, it might sound overly formal in casual settings. Choose simpler alternatives if necessary.

Common error

Avoid using "a prodigious feat" in casual conversations or informal writing. It can sound unnatural and pretentious. Simpler phrases like "great job" or "amazing accomplishment" are more suitable in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a prodigious feat" functions as a noun phrase, where "prodigious" modifies the noun "feat". It describes an achievement or accomplishment characterized by its exceptional nature or scale. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its correct grammatical structure and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a prodigious feat" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes an exceptional achievement, as validated by Ludwig AI. It's most commonly found in news and media, science, and encyclopedic contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. While versatile, it's best to avoid using it in informal settings where simpler alternatives might be more appropriate. Consider alternatives like "an extraordinary accomplishment" or "a remarkable achievement" for similar emphasis. The phrase carries an air of admiration and recognition of the effort involved in achieving something truly remarkable. The authoritative sources using the phrase, such as The New York Times and The Guardian, confirm its widespread acceptance in high-quality writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an extraordinary accomplishment

Emphasizes the exceptional nature of the achievement.

a remarkable achievement

Highlights the noteworthiness of the accomplishment.

an exceptional undertaking

Focuses on the ambitious and unusual nature of the task.

a monumental accomplishment

Suggests the achievement is of great historical or lasting significance.

an impressive success

Highlights the positive outcome and impact of the achievement.

a stellar performance

Implies a high level of skill and execution in the achievement.

a tremendous success

Emphasizes the large scale and impact of the success.

a stunning achievement

Focuses on the surprising and impressive nature of the accomplishment.

a magnificent accomplishment

Highlights the grandeur and impressiveness of the achievement.

a world-class achievement

Suggests the achievement is among the best globally.

FAQs

How can I use "a prodigious feat" in a sentence?

You can use "a prodigious feat" to describe something that required great effort and skill. For example: "Deciphering the human genome was "a prodigious feat" of scientific collaboration".

What are some alternatives to "a prodigious feat"?

Alternatives include "an extraordinary accomplishment", "a remarkable achievement", or "an impressive success", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "a prodigious feat"?

It's appropriate in formal writing or when you want to emphasize the exceptional nature of an achievement. It's less suitable for casual conversation.

Is "prodigious feat" a common expression?

Yes, "prodigious feat" is a relatively common expression, particularly in news and media, academic writing, and historical contexts, as evidenced by its frequent use in reputable publications.