a solid time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a solid time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an enjoyable or fulfilling experience, often in the context of an event or activity. Example: "We had a solid time at the concert last night, enjoying the music and the atmosphere."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Johnson-Thompson was the first of the major contenders to appear in the 100m hurdles, in the penultimate heat, and produced a solid time of 13.48sec.

The Guardian - Sport

She said: "It was my first Olympic race, so I went in with a lot of adrenalin and a few nerves, but it carried me through the first 400m and I finished with a solid time".

Independent

"It was a solid time trial for everyone today, there was no way of bluffing it or fluking it.

BBC

Mentoring is a solid time commitment, but the rewards are more than two-fold.

Huffington Post

Phelps put up a solid time of 1 46.60 (an American record) but the Americans could not match the depth of the Australians and ultimately finished second 7 10.26 to 7 08.58.

Wikipedia

(In full disclosure, one test was much slower, inexplicably taking 7 35 - although that's still a solid time. And it was just that one instance; so perhaps the computer was having some issue. A dozen or other tests all turned in a time similar to that initial 3 35).

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

I am old enough to remember the days when a solid time-served sergeant acted as court presentation officer before the justices, but it is more likely nowadays that a civilian will be used instead.

The Guardian

The Guardian Teacher Network has some great resources and ideas to help provide a solid times tables platform for students while at the same time helping teachers (and parents at home, where much of the practising must be done) to keep it fresh.

The Guardian

Withings already has one of the nicer offerings in the space in the form of the Steel — a solid time-keeping device with step and sleep tracking baked in.

TechCrunch

The downtown Granville strip is a cesspool of shitty clubs for the in-town-on-business set, a pretty solid time if your idea of a good scene is 5,000 identical haircuts and $10 cover charges.

Vice

Kimi Raikkonen had some reliability problems but Romain Grosjean had a good, solid time and the upshot is the car is clearly in good shape.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an event or activity, use "a solid time" to convey a positive and substantial experience, implying that the time was well-spent and enjoyable.

Common error

While "a solid time" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or professional writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "a productive session" or "a valuable interval" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a solid time" functions as a noun phrase, where "solid" acts as a descriptive adjective modifying the noun "time". It generally describes an event or experience that was well-spent, enjoyable, or productive, according to Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a solid time" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that describes an enjoyable or productive experience. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as a noun phrase with "solid" acting as an adjective. While not exceedingly common, its usage is appropriate for neutral contexts like news and general conversation, though less so for formal academic or scientific writing. If seeking alternatives, consider options like "an enjoyable experience" or "a productive session" to convey a similar meaning with varying degrees of formality. Avoid overusing this phrase in contexts requiring sophisticated language, opting instead for alternatives more appropriate for the setting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an enjoyable experience

Focuses on the enjoyment aspect, broadening the scope beyond just time.

a good moment

Emphasizes the quality of the moment experienced.

a pleasant period

Highlights the agreeable nature of the time spent.

a fulfilling occasion

Shifts the focus to the sense of fulfillment derived from the experience.

a satisfying instance

Highlights the feeling of satisfaction gained during the time.

a productive session

Focuses on the outcome or productivity achieved during the time.

a quality duration

Emphasizes the high quality of the time span.

a valuable interval

Highlights the worth or importance of the time used.

an appreciable span

Focuses on the length of the time and how it's valued.

a remarkable experience

Highlights the memorability and positive nature of the experience, going beyond just time.

FAQs

How can I use "a solid time" in a sentence?

You can use "a solid time" to describe an enjoyable or productive experience. For example, "We had "a solid time" at the park, playing games and enjoying the weather."

What's the difference between "a solid time" and "a good time"?

While both phrases express a positive experience, "a solid time" implies a more substantial or fulfilling experience compared to "a good time". "A good time" is more general, while "a solid time" suggests a more memorable or worthwhile experience.

What can I say instead of "a solid time" to sound more formal?

In formal contexts, you can use alternatives like "an enjoyable experience", "a productive session", or "a valuable interval" to maintain a professional tone.

Is it appropriate to use "a solid time" in academic writing?

While not strictly incorrect, "a solid time" is generally too informal for academic writing. Opt for more precise and professional language to convey your message.