awful good

USAGE SUMMARY

'awful good' is not considered a correct expression in written English.
However, 'very good' is. For example, "This cake looks very good!".

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Now, that gives you an awful good feeling — knowing that you're invincible".

The New Yorker

I felt like it was a awful good place a put behind me.

The New Yorker

He's given us a chance to become an awful good hockey team".

The New York Times - Sports

Here, in San Diego, Holcomb describes it as "an awful good song".

The New Yorker

"If San Diego State played Duke, I think it would be an awful good ballgame," Coles said.

The New York Times - Sports

Soft Effects was awful good – too bad it's only five songs, because we were on to something there.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

I said, "Man, she's awful good-looking to be a doll".

Vice

He almost never is completely awful, just not good enough.

Los Angeles Times

That Department of Agriculture book was an awful mighty good thing, laying there at her elbow on that hay.

The Guardian - Books

Instead they're nodding their heads to the narrative and saying "oh, isn't it awful" and "good for him".

Vice

But as The Washington Post's tech columnist, I read every message I receive from readers about computer problems, upgrade dilemmas, exploding phones, security breaches and terrible, awful, no-good experiences with tech companies.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, avoid using "awful good". Opt for more standard alternatives like "very good" or "extremely good" to maintain clarity and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using "awful good" in academic papers, business reports, or other formal documents. This phrase is generally considered incorrect and can detract from the credibility of your writing. Instead, choose a more appropriate adjective like "excellent" or "outstanding".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "awful good" functions as an adjective phrase, intended to modify a noun by describing its quality or characteristic. However, according to Ludwig AI, it's not considered a correct expression in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "awful good" is an adjective phrase used to express approval, similar to "very good". However, according to Ludwig AI, it's not considered grammatically correct in standard written English. While it appears in various News & Media sources, its use is generally considered informal. Alternatives like "very good", "really good", or "exceptionally good" are more appropriate for formal contexts. Therefore, it's best to reserve "awful good" for informal settings or when replicating a specific dialect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

very good

Replaces "awful" with a more standard intensifier.

really good

Uses a different, more common intensifier than "awful".

exceptionally good

Emphasizes the high quality more strongly.

extremely good

Similar to 'very good', but with slightly more emphasis.

remarkably good

Highlights the unexpected or noteworthy quality.

particularly good

Focuses on specific instances of high quality.

incredibly good

Emphasizes the surprising or unbelievable quality.

surprisingly good

Emphasizes the unexpected nature of the positive quality.

wonderfully good

Uses a more descriptive and positive adjective.

terribly good

Mirrors the structure of "awful good" but with 'terribly', retaining the somewhat informal tone.

FAQs

Is "awful good" grammatically correct?

No, "awful good" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard written English. It is more common in certain dialects or informal speech. Use alternatives like "very good" or "extremely good" in formal contexts.

When is it appropriate to use "awful good"?

The phrase "awful good" might be appropriate in informal conversations or when trying to replicate a specific dialect in writing. However, it's best to avoid it in formal or professional settings.

What are some alternatives to "awful good"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "very good", "really good", "exceptionally good", or "surprisingly good". The best choice will depend on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference in meaning between "awful good" and "very good"?

While both phrases express a positive sentiment, "very good" is a standard and widely accepted expression. "Awful good" is less common and may carry a slightly different connotation depending on the speaker or the dialect. It may imply a surprising or unexpected level of goodness.