altogether good

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "altogether good" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a general assessment of something as being completely or entirely good. Example: "The meal was altogether good, with each dish complementing the others perfectly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Was he altogether good for British music?

The Guardian - Books

Sad to relate, the news is not altogether good.

The Economist

Our system may be good for us; but it is neither equally, not altogether good for them.

The New Yorker

Not altogether good either — it can become one more way in which senators lose the habit of thinking.

The New Yorker

Later, he suggested that he might quit Twitter altogether: "Good chance this means I get off social media soon".

The New Yorker

It says something not altogether good about horse racing when New Jersey's contraction is being looked at as a novel idea.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Sharpening your pencil and tightening your belt, foraging for bargains but not altogether abandoning good food and good screens?

The New York Times - Magazine

The video was too well edited, too well written, too well costumed and altogether too good to be an unauthorized guerrilla project.

The New York Times - Arts

Not that repressing it is altogether a good thing.

Independent

I took maybe altogether one good photograph, four other possible, and two which were not interesting.

The New York Times

And Italians are famous for bypassing the taxman altogether: a good fifth of the tax due, it is generally reckoned, remains uncollected.The labour market is exceptionally inflexible.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "altogether good" to provide a general positive assessment, indicating that something is entirely satisfactory or beneficial. It's suitable when a comprehensive, overall positive judgment is intended.

Common error

Avoid using "altogether good" excessively in formal academic or professional writing. More precise or nuanced language might be required to convey specific aspects of goodness or benefit.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "altogether good" functions primarily as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a generally positive quality. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it often describes overall experiences, conditions, or outcomes.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "altogether good" is grammatically sound and conveys a generally positive assessment. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts but might benefit from more precise language in formal settings. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media sources, indicating a neutral tone. While there are several semantically related alternatives, the choice depends on the specific shade of meaning you wish to convey. Remember to avoid overuse in highly formal writing and ensure it accurately reflects the overall positive nature of what you are describing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely good

This alternative places more emphasis on the completeness of the goodness.

entirely good

Similar to completely good, this highlights the comprehensive nature of the goodness.

wholly good

This alternative emphasizes the totality of the positive nature.

perfectly good

This suggests the goodness is without flaw or deficiency.

thoroughly good

Implies that the goodness has been tested or examined and found to be of high quality.

absolutely good

Emphasizes the certainty and lack of any negative aspects.

unreservedly good

This suggests that the goodness is without any hesitation or doubt.

genuinely good

Highlights the authenticity and sincerity of the positive attribute.

exceptionally good

Indicates a level of goodness that surpasses the ordinary.

remarkably good

Emphasizes how worthy of attention the positive attribute is.

FAQs

What does "altogether good" mean?

The phrase "altogether good" means completely or entirely good. It suggests an overall positive assessment without significant reservations.

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

You can use "altogether good" to describe something that is generally positive or beneficial. For example: "The experience was "altogether good", despite a few minor inconveniences."

What are some alternatives to "altogether good"?

Alternatives include phrases like "completely good", "entirely good", or "perfectly good", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "altogether good" formal or informal?

"Altogether good" is generally neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal situations may benefit from more precise wording.