an excellent eye

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an excellent eye" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who has a keen ability to notice details, particularly in areas like art, design, or observation. Example: "As a photographer, she has an excellent eye for capturing the perfect moment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Lifestyle

Arts

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

He has an excellent eye.

The New Yorker

Mr. Witt-Dörring has an excellent eye.

The New York Times - Arts

Obviously, he has an excellent eye; he chooses well.

The New Yorker

She obviously has an excellent eye for works of 20th century sculpture.

The New York Times

My eldest daughter Ruby (6) also has an excellent eye for design and illustration.

Independent

He had four gifts: money, enthusiasm, eccentricity and an excellent eye; and he was generous with all of them.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

While around three-quarters of the two older age cohorts (ages 35-54 and 55-65) choose great-in-bed over fair-of-face, the millennials were significantly more split: 56percentt chose great in bed, while 44percentt opted for a lousy lover who would make excellent eye candy.

Huffington Post

Bread appears again as a juice-absorbing pedestal for an excellent rib eye, drizzled with beef vinaigrette, and yet again in little shards beneath a plump half chicken with yellow wax beans and salted greens.

The New Yorker

Here his excellent eye for color shines, and an organic multiculturalism is given full expression.

The New York Times - Arts

While this functionality is certainly useful, and nothing short of excellent eye candy, could there be a thorn with this rose?

TechCrunch

With her skillful reporting, fine prose and excellent eye for period detail, Koppel has given it a lovely shine: especially since she miraculously managed to track down — and befriend — Wolfson, who is now in her 90s.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's ability to select aesthetically pleasing items or designs, use "an excellent eye" to highlight their refined taste and judgment.

Common error

Avoid using "an excellent eye" when describing skills that are not related to visual perception or aesthetic judgment. Instead, opt for phrases like "strong analytical skills" or "keen understanding".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an excellent eye" functions as an adjective phrase modifying the noun "eye". It describes the quality of someone's visual perception or their ability to notice and appreciate details, as evidenced by examples available on Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Arts

20%

Lifestyle

15%

Less common in

Books

10%

Science

10%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an excellent eye" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe someone with a keen ability to observe and appreciate details. According to Ludwig, this phrase is most frequently found in News & Media, Arts and Lifestyle contexts. While generally appropriate for both formal and informal writing, it is best used when specifically referring to visual perception and aesthetic judgment. Consider alternatives such as ""a keen eye"" or ""a sharp eye"" for slight variations in emphasis. Avoid overuse in non-visual contexts to maintain clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a keen eye

Emphasizes sharpness and attentiveness in observation, slightly more direct.

a sharp eye

Focuses on the ability to quickly notice details; more concise.

a discerning eye

Highlights the ability to differentiate and appreciate subtle qualities; implies refined taste.

a good eye

More general term for having skill in judging something, less emphatic.

an observant nature

Shifts focus to an inherent characteristic of being watchful and perceptive.

a talent for observation

Specifically highlights the skill-based nature of noticing details.

an aptitude for detail

Implies an innate ability to focus on and manage intricacies.

a masterful perspective

Stresses the artistic or insightful viewpoint someone possesses.

a refined sensibility

Highlights a cultivated and sensitive way of perceiving things.

a visionary outlook

Emphasizes forward-thinking and imaginative perception.

FAQs

What does it mean to have "an excellent eye"?

Having "an excellent eye" means possessing a strong ability to notice and appreciate details, particularly in areas such as art, design, or observation. It implies a refined sense of judgment and perception.

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

You can use "an excellent eye" to describe someone's skill in noticing details. For example: "The curator has "a keen eye" for selecting pieces that complement the gallery's collection".

What can I say instead of "an excellent eye"?

You can use alternatives like "a sharp eye", "a discerning eye", or "a good eye" depending on the specific context you intend to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "an excellent eye" in formal writing?

Yes, "an excellent eye" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when discussing art, design, or visual analysis. However, ensure the context aligns with the phrase's focus on visual perception and aesthetic judgment.