be darn good

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be darn good" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something should be of high quality or perform well, often in a casual or informal context. Example: "If you want to succeed in this competition, your performance needs to be darn good."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"Earnings were great in the first quarter and will be darn good in the second quarter," he said.

The New York Times

"When you're not a starter in this league and you're a defensive back, you better be darn good at special teams," McDonald said.

The New York Times - Sports

I would reiterate my comments, which is we better be darn good at both".

TechCrunch

"This golden age of refining may not last forever," says Adams. "But it will be darn good long enough for Valero to pay for this acquisition".

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

I'd say that's darn good".

The New York Times - Sports

"They were darn good attorneys, probably the best in Topeka.

The New York Times

Tennis was a business, she was darn good at it, but it was also a tough and lonely life.

The New York Times

The President, for his part, told reporters that the intelligence behind his speech had been "darn good".

The New Yorker

So it looks like the hope for America with the young girls coming up, is darn good".

The New York Times

I just started reading that one, so I haven't gotten to any parts in it about the Bible yet, but it's darn good.

The New Yorker

But there is also this: "They're darn good players," Mr. Baker said, referring to Jessica Stammen, his free-shooting backup point guard, and Megan Neil, a starter at goalie.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be darn good" when you want to add a touch of informality to your writing while still emphasizing high quality. It works well in conversational contexts or when addressing a familiar audience.

Common error

Avoid using "be darn good" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "exceptionally good" or "remarkably proficient" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be darn good" functions as a subject complement, modifying a subject by ascribing it a high degree of quality or proficiency. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s grammatically correct and frequently used. The examples in Ludwig highlight its use across various domains, emphasizing the need for high performance or quality.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Sports

24%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be darn good" is a grammatically correct phrase used to emphasize a high level of quality or capability. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its appropriateness for general use, though it leans towards informal contexts. While "be darn good" is frequently found in News & Media and Sports, it's less common in formal or academic writing. When choosing alternatives, consider "be really good" or "be exceptionally good" for different levels of formality. When aiming for clarity and impact, remember that proper context determines the effectiveness of "be darn good".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be very good

A simple and direct way to express a high level of quality, without the added emphasis of "darn".

be really good

A more casual and straightforward alternative, suitable for informal contexts.

be exceptionally good

Replaces "darn" with a more formal intensifier, resulting in a more sophisticated tone.

be remarkably good

Similar to "exceptionally good", this option uses "remarkably" to emphasize the high quality.

be impressively good

Highlights the effect the quality has on others, suggesting it makes a strong impression.

be extraordinarily good

Emphasizes the exceptional nature to an even greater degree, suggesting something beyond the ordinary.

be outstanding

Uses a single word to convey the high level of quality, making it concise and impactful.

be superb

A more formal and elegant way to describe something as excellent.

be top-notch

An informal phrase that implies the highest level of quality or skill.

be first-rate

Similar to "top-notch", this phrase denotes excellent quality and performance.

FAQs

How can I use "be darn good" in a sentence?

You can use "be darn good" to emphasize that something is of high quality or performs well. For example, "If you want to win, your presentation needs to "be darn good"."

What are some alternatives to "be darn good"?

You can use alternatives like "be really good", "be exceptionally good", or "be very good" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "be darn good" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "be darn good" is generally considered informal. In formal writing, consider using phrases like "be remarkably good" or "be exceptionally good".

What's the difference between "be darn good" and "be very good"?

"Be darn good" and "be very good" both express a high level of quality, but "be darn good" adds a touch of informality and emphasis due to the intensifier "darn".