an excellent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an excellent" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a certain level of quality that something has. For example, "The report was an excellent piece of work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He's an excellent captain".

Independent

It's an excellent question.

The New Yorker

That's an excellent omen.

The New York Times

That's an excellent observation.

The New Yorker

"He's an excellent storyteller.

The New York Times

He's an excellent paramedic".

The New York Times

"That's an excellent point".

The New Yorker

It's an excellent initiative.

The New York Times

I'm an excellent cook.

The New Yorker

"He's an excellent communicator".

The New Yorker

He's an excellent player.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an excellent" to clearly and positively describe something of high quality or performance. It adds a touch of formality and professionalism to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "an excellent" in extremely casual conversations. Opt for words like "great" or "fantastic" instead to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an excellent" functions primarily as a pre-modifying adjective to describe or characterize a noun. Ludwig AI confirms its use across diverse contexts, highlighting its ability to elevate the perceived quality of the subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an excellent" is a versatile phrase used to express strong approval or highlight superior quality. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and frequently employed across various contexts, particularly in news media and business settings. While it's suitable for formal communication, avoid overuse in very casual conversations. Consider alternatives like "superb" or "outstanding" for varied expression. Remember to use it thoughtfully to enhance the impact of your writing and avoid sounding repetitive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a superb

Changes the adjective to another synonym emphasizing outstanding quality.

a remarkable

Replaces "excellent" with a synonym that highlights the noteworthiness of something.

a first-rate

Uses a compound adjective to convey top-tier quality.

a top-notch

Employs an informal adjective to indicate superior quality or skill.

an outstanding

Substitutes "excellent" with a synonym focusing on prominence or distinction.

a brilliant

Replaces "excellent" with a synonym that suggests exceptional intelligence or skill.

an exceptional

Uses a more formal synonym to highlight something that is outside the norm.

a great

Provides a more general term of approval that's less emphatic.

a wonderful

Replaces "excellent" with an adjective that conveys a sense of delight and admiration.

a superior

Substitutes with a term that implies being of higher grade or quality.

FAQs

How can I use "an excellent" in a sentence?

You can use "an excellent" to describe something of high quality or skill, such as "He is "an excellent cook"" or "That's "an excellent point"".

What are some alternatives to "an excellent"?

Some alternatives to "an excellent" include "a superb", "a remarkable", or "an outstanding", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "an excellent" or "very good"?

"An excellent" suggests a higher degree of quality than "very good". Use "an excellent" when you want to emphasize exceptional quality or performance.

When should I avoid using the phrase "an excellent"?

Avoid using "an excellent" in very informal settings where it might sound overly formal. In those cases, consider using alternatives like "great" or "fantastic".