darn good

USAGE SUMMARY

'darn good' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is a colloquialism that is often used in informal speech and writing to mean very good or excellent. Example: "I just tried the new burger joint down the street and their burgers are darn good!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Pretty darn good, we would go home to write.

The New York Times - Sports

"When you consider supply fundamentals, they look pretty darn good.

The New York Times

A Pretty darn good considering we're in a Great Recession.

The New York Times

"My record is actually pretty darn good," he said.

The New York Times

Annual growth of 7.5% is still pretty darn good.

The Economist

My last memory of him is pretty darn good.

The New York Times - Sports

"Outside of that putting, I played pretty darn good.

The Guardian - Sport

Darn good question.

Forbes

Darn good shooter, though.

TechCrunch

Point is, 50 feels pretty darn good to me.

Forbes

Darn good reasons.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "darn good" in informal contexts where a slightly milder alternative to stronger expressions like "damn good" is desired. It adds a touch of folksiness without being offensive.

Common error

Avoid using "darn good" in formal essays, business reports, or academic papers. It can sound unprofessional or out of place in such contexts. Opt for more formal alternatives like "very good" or "excellent".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "darn good" functions primarily as a compound adjective modifying a noun. According to Ludwig AI, it conveys a positive assessment, indicating that something is of high quality or very satisfactory. This usage aligns with the examples provided where it describes a variety of things from food to performance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "darn good" is a commonly used phrase to express that something is of high quality or satisfactory, according to Ludwig AI. Primarily found in informal contexts such as News & Media, it functions as a compound adjective. While grammatically correct, it's best to avoid using it in formal writing, where alternatives like "very good" or "excellent" are more appropriate. Ludwig's examples showcase the phrase's versatility in expressing positive sentiments across various scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceptionally good

Highlights the quality as being beyond the norm or average.

decidedly first-rate

Indicates a clear and unquestionable high level of quality.

truly commendable

Highlights the praiseworthy and deserving nature of the quality.

remarkably good

Emphasizes the unexpected or surprising aspect of the quality.

impressively favorable

Highlights the positive and remarkable nature of the quality.

genuinely excellent

Stresses the authenticity and high standard of quality.

noticeably outstanding

Emphasizes the visibility and distinction of the quality.

surprisingly effective

Focuses on the unexpected positive outcome or impact.

unquestionably satisfactory

Stresses that the quality meets or exceeds expectations without doubt.

considerably superior

Indicates a significant difference in quality compared to others.

FAQs

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

You can use "darn good" to describe something of high quality or something you approve of, for example: "That burger was "darn good"!" or "She did a "darn good" job on the presentation".

What's the difference between "darn good" and "damn good"?

"Darn good" is a milder, more polite version of "damn good". It's suitable for situations where you want to avoid potentially offensive language.

What can I say instead of "darn good"?

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

Is "darn good" appropriate for formal writing?

No, "darn good" is generally not appropriate for formal writing. It's best reserved for informal conversations or casual writing. Use a more formal alternative such as "very good" or "outstanding" in formal contexts.