a very good idea

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a very good idea" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing approval or endorsement of a suggestion or plan. Example: "I think implementing a flexible work schedule is a very good idea for improving employee morale."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That is a very good idea.

The New York Times

It is a very good idea.

The New York Times

It's a very good idea".

The New York Times

so it's really a very good idea.

Yale University

HENDRIK HERTZBERG: It's a very good idea.

The New Yorker

Nigel Lawson: That's a very good idea.

The Guardian

This sounds like a very good idea.

The New York Times

Which is a very good idea these days.

The New York Times

"You did a little crescendo — that's a very good idea".

The New Yorker

"It's a very good idea," Ms. Thomas said.

The New York Times

"This was a very good idea," he says drolly.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a very good idea", consider the context and audience. In formal settings, more sophisticated synonyms like "a commendable approach" might be more appropriate.

Common error

While "a very good idea" is perfectly acceptable, avoid overuse by varying your language with synonyms like "excellent concept" or "brilliant plan" to keep your writing engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a very good idea" functions as a subject complement or adjective phrase, typically following a linking verb (e.g., "is", "seems", "sounds"). It expresses approval or endorsement of a concept, plan, or suggestion. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

20%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a very good idea" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey approval or agreement. As evidenced by Ludwig, it is versatile and appears in various contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific and academic writing. While its neutral register makes it generally suitable, consider using more formal synonyms like "an excellent concept" or "a commendable approach" in professional settings. To avoid repetition, explore related phrases such as "a brilliant plan" or "a worthwhile proposal". By understanding its function, purpose, and common usage patterns, you can effectively incorporate "a very good idea" into your writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an excellent concept

Replaces "idea" with "concept" and "very good" with "excellent" for a stronger endorsement.

a splendid notion

Substitutes "idea" with "notion" and "very good" with "splendid" suggesting a delightful or impressive thought.

a brilliant plan

Changes "idea" to "plan" emphasizing a course of action and replaces "very good" with "brilliant" to indicate exceptional cleverness.

a remarkable suggestion

Replaces "idea" with "suggestion" framing it as a proposal and uses "remarkable" instead of "very good" to highlight its noteworthy quality.

a superb strategy

Substitutes "idea" with "strategy" focusing on a deliberate approach and uses "superb" in place of "very good" for a sense of high quality.

a worthwhile proposal

Replaces "idea" with "proposal" emphasizing a formal suggestion and uses "worthwhile" to indicate value or benefit.

a commendable approach

Substitutes "idea" with "approach" highlighting a method or way of dealing with something and uses "commendable" to suggest praiseworthiness.

a valuable insight

Changes "idea" to "insight" focusing on a deep understanding and uses "valuable" to indicate its importance or usefulness.

a promising scheme

Replaces "idea" with "scheme" suggesting a systematic plan and uses "promising" to indicate potential for success.

a sound concept

Replaces "very good idea" with "sound concept" suggesting that the idea is well-reasoned and reliable.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "a very good idea"?

You can use alternatives like "an excellent concept", "a brilliant plan", or "a remarkable suggestion" depending on the context.

Is "a very good idea" formal or informal?

"A very good idea" is generally considered neutral. For more formal situations, consider using phrases like "a commendable approach" or "a worthwhile proposal".

How to use "a very good idea" in a sentence?

You can use "a very good idea" to express agreement or approval. For example: "Implementing a flexible work schedule is "a very good idea" for improving employee morale."

What's the difference between "a good idea" and "a very good idea"?

Adding "very" to "a good idea" intensifies the level of approval or enthusiasm. "A very good idea" suggests stronger endorsement than simply "a good idea."