an excellent move

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an excellent move" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a decision or action that is considered very good or beneficial in a particular context. Example: "Deciding to invest in renewable energy was an excellent move for the company, as it not only reduced costs but also improved its public image."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

It was an excellent move.

The New Yorker

Thanks, Alex. You're right – new translations are an excellent move.

Stanford University

This, too, is an excellent move, and an important one.

The New York Times

His investment in Facebook however was an excellent move.

The Guardian - Tech

"It's an excellent move," said Raphael Biderman, telecommunications analyst at Unibanco in São Paulo.

The New York Times

Her partner, Randi Montin, then selected a trump lead, an excellent move that devastated the declarer.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

It's the correct decision by a matter of centimetres, which is a shame because Nketiah started an finished an otherwise excellent move also involving Ozil and Saka.

The Guardian - Sport

Use the Backflip-Kick: The backflip-kick is when you are in mid-air and press up + A. It may be a weak move, but it is an excellent juggling move.

WikiHow

Any hopes of a comeback were soon extinguished, however, as Ospreys moved into a commanding 31-16 lead with Biggar's penalty and an excellent team move culminating in John's try.

BBC

In what turned out to be an excellent career move, Mr. You formed a "Save Kim Dae Jung" campaign in New Jersey.

The New York Times

But Samoa went in front again after an excellent backline move ended with winger Daniel Vidot latching on to Ben Roberts' deft kick ahead.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an excellent move" when you want to positively emphasize the outcome of a decision and highlight the ingenuity involved.

Common error

While "an excellent move" is appropriate in many contexts, avoid using it repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language with synonyms like "a brilliant strategy" or "a smart decision" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an excellent move" functions as a noun phrase that serves as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It describes a decision or action deemed highly beneficial or skillful, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "an excellent move" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to commend a strategic decision or action. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable across various contexts, including news, business, and general conversation, though most often found in News & Media. For alternatives, consider options such as "a brilliant strategy" or "a smart decision" to avoid overuse. When writing, utilize "an excellent move" to emphasize the ingenuity and positive outcome of a decision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a brilliant strategy

Emphasizes the cleverness and planning involved, rather than just the general benefit.

a smart decision

Focuses on the intelligence and foresight behind the choice.

a well-judged decision

Focuses on accuracy of judgement and foresight.

a wise course of action

Highlights the prudence and good judgment in the approach taken.

a shrewd maneuver

Suggests cleverness and skill in achieving a goal, often in a competitive situation.

a strategic play

Implies a carefully planned action designed to achieve a specific advantage.

a canny tactic

Suggests cleverness and resourcefulness, often in a competitive context.

a commendable step

Highlights the praiseworthy nature of the action taken.

a laudable initiative

Emphasizes the worthiness and positive impact of the action.

a proficient act

Focuses on the level of skill and competence required.

FAQs

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

You can use "an excellent move" to describe a decision or action that is considered very good or beneficial in a particular context. For example, "Hiring a new marketing director was "an excellent move" for the company."

What are some alternatives to saying "an excellent move"?

Alternatives include "a smart decision", "a brilliant strategy", or "a wise choice" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Yes, "an excellent move" is generally appropriate for formal writing. It can be used in business reports, academic papers, and other professional contexts to describe a beneficial action or decision.

What's the difference between "an excellent move" and "a good move"?

"An excellent move" implies a higher degree of benefit or ingenuity than "a good move". While both phrases describe a positive action, "an excellent move" suggests that the action was particularly effective or clever.