certainly a thrill

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "certainly a thrill" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express excitement or enjoyment about an experience or event. Example: "Riding the roller coaster was certainly a thrill, and I can't wait to do it again."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Entertainment

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

At QT Sydney seeing sushi carved from a four-foot tuna in a glass fridge at the front of the restaurant is certainly a thrill.

Independent

That the first release to eke out of the vault is "Nothing Compares 2 U" is certainly a thrill, but, given that it's a known quantity everyone is aware it exists; people have been dying to hear it for years—I can't help but wonder if it's a sign that there's not, in fact, vast reserves of excellent and unreleased material cooling off in Iron Mountain.

The New Yorker

And it was certainly a thrill to watch Showtime arrive as a network in real time, as it scooped up big wins for "Homeland" actors Damian Lewis and Claire Danes and of course, Showtime's thriller also won the Big Kahuna itself, Best Drama.

Huffington Post

While there's certainly a thrill to setting off your own display in your backyard, and getting wasted and handling explosive devices that scare the shit out of your neighbors is undoubtedly a good idea, more often than not, as with many things, it's best to leave fireworks to the professionals.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

I'm sure he could manage without my input – I follow behind as an extra threat to the sheep, and if one did make a bid for freedom, I wouldn't know what to do – but I certainly get a thrill from being involved.

The Guardian - Travel

It's certainly quite a thrill to be part of Friday's semi-final line-up as it's a big day for tennis.

BBC

"There is certainly a voyeuristic thrill in hearing another person's private messages.

The Guardian

"I was still a teenager when we won our first World Cup back in 1958, and that was certainly a huge thrill," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's an honor to be asked and certainly it's a thrill to be associated with the game itself," Collins said.

The New York Times

Magnussen certainly contributed to a thrilling race, one in which the two leading competitors went head to head with Adrian digging his head down for the last 10m to win gold.

The Guardian - Sport

The discovery of a microbe on a Saturnian moon would certainly be thrilling to a biologist, and I hope it would also be thrilling to anyone who gave thought to our place in the cosmos.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "certainly a thrill" to express genuine excitement or enjoyment, especially when emphasizing the unexpected or surprising nature of the experience. It adds a touch of formality to your expression.

Common error

While "certainly a thrill" is grammatically sound, it can sound overly formal in very casual settings. Opt for simpler expressions like "really fun" or "totally exciting" when communicating with close friends.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certainly a thrill" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a noun, expressing a strong positive reaction to something. As Ludwig indicates, it's a valid and usable expression. The examples in Ludwig demonstrate its use to describe exciting events or experiences.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Travel

8%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "certainly a thrill" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to convey excitement and enjoyment. According to Ludwig, it's often found in news and media contexts, exhibiting a neutral register with a slight inclination toward formality. While "certainly a thrill" may not be the most common phrase, its impact is undeniable. Consider more informal alternatives like "definitely a thrill" for casual settings. Ultimately, the choice depends on your intended audience and the overall tone you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

undeniably a thrill

Replaces "certainly" with a stronger adverb, emphasizing the undeniable nature of the thrill.

without a doubt a thrill

Adds a phrase indicating complete certainty, reinforcing the feeling of excitement.

assuredly a thrill

Uses a more formal adverb, "assuredly", to express confidence in the thrilling nature of something.

definitely a thrill

Replaces "certainly" with "definitely", a more common and slightly less formal adverb.

genuinely a thrill

Emphasizes the authenticity of the thrill, suggesting it is not artificial or forced.

truly a thrill

Highlights the genuine and sincere nature of the excitement experienced.

absolutely a thrill

Uses "absolutely" for emphasis, conveying strong agreement and excitement.

quite a thrill

Employs "quite" to indicate a significant degree of excitement or enjoyment.

a definite thrill

Changes the word order slightly while maintaining a similar level of excitement and certainty.

a real thrill

Focuses on the authenticity of the thrill, suggesting it is a genuine experience.

FAQs

How can I use "certainly a thrill" in a sentence?

You can use "certainly a thrill" to describe something exciting or enjoyable. For example, "Attending the concert was "certainly a thrill", and I'd love to go again."

What phrases are similar to "certainly a thrill"?

Similar phrases include "undeniably a thrill", "definitely a thrill", or "truly a thrill". These alternatives convey similar levels of excitement and enjoyment.

Is "certainly a thrill" formal or informal?

"Certainly a thrill" leans towards the formal side due to the adverb "certainly". In informal contexts, consider using phrases like "a lot of fun" or "really exciting".

What's the difference between "certainly a thrill" and "a thrilling experience"?

"Certainly a thrill" emphasizes the speaker's reaction, while "a thrilling experience" focuses on the quality of the experience itself. They are similar but have slightly different emphases.