a very good

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a very good" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the quality of something, indicating that it is not just good, but significantly better than average. Example: "The restaurant we visited last night served a very good meal that exceeded our expectations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A very good player.

The New York Times - Sports

A: Very good.

The New York Times - Sports

A very good reason".

The New Yorker

"A very good question.

The New York Times - Sports

A very good day".

The New York Times

A very good article.

University of California, Berkeley

A very good read.

Harvard University

(On a very good night).

The New York Times - Books

(But a very good one).

The New York Times

It's a very good poem".

The New York Times

"It's a very good life".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a very good" to express a positive assessment without being overly effusive. It strikes a balance between formality and approachability.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "very" to enhance adjectives. While "a very good" is acceptable, consider stronger, more descriptive alternatives like "excellent" or "superb" to add nuance to your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a very good" primarily functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a positive quality or attribute. It's a common way to express approval or satisfaction, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

11%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a very good" is a common and grammatically sound adjective phrase used to express positive assessment. Ludwig AI's analysis indicates its prevalent use in News & Media and Academia, showing a neutral tone suitable for various contexts. Although versatile, consider more descriptive alternatives when precision is key. The phrase scores highly in expert rating due to correct grammar, authoritative sources, and consistent usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an excellent

Implies a higher degree of quality than "a very good".

a genuinely good

Underscores the authentic nature of the positive quality.

a truly good

Emphasizes the sincerity or genuineness of the goodness.

a superb

Suggests outstanding quality; more formal than "a very good".

an exceptionally good

Indicates a level of goodness beyond the ordinary.

a great

More informal and emphasizes general positivity.

a particularly good

Draws attention to the specific aspect that is good.

a remarkably good

Highlights the unexpected or surprising nature of the goodness.

a decidedly good

Implies a clear and definite sense of goodness.

a considerably good

Shows the extent of the goodness, indicating it's more than just average.

FAQs

How can I use "a very good" in a sentence?

You can use "a very good" to describe something of high quality or effectiveness. For example, "That's a very good idea", or "She's a very good student".

What are some alternatives to "a very good"?

You can use alternatives like "an excellent", "a great", or "a superb depending" on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is it redundant to say "a very good"? Can I just say "good"?

While "good" is often sufficient, "a very good" adds emphasis, indicating a higher degree of quality. Whether it's redundant depends on the context and the desired impact.

What is the difference between "a very good" and "exceptionally good"?

"Exceptionally good" implies a quality far beyond the ordinary, while "a very good" suggests something is notably above average but not necessarily extraordinary.