excellent down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "excellent down" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is unclear when it could be used, as it lacks context and does not form a coherent expression. Example: "The performance was excellent down the stretch." (if "down" is intended to mean "toward the end").

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"In focus groups, people say, 'Why didn't he tell us before the elections he was going to do all this?'" Mr Schemel's latest survey found that only 41% rated Mr Chávez's performance as "good" to "excellent", down from 49% in November.Even many chavistas are wary of the ever-greater power wielded by their president.

The Economist

So it is a pleasure to announce that the homeless, who have so little else, have at least gained, in Kenneth L. Kusmer's excellent "Down and Out, On the Road," a history of their own.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Although this clamorous, narrow spot is not suited for a relaxed tête-à-tête, it is the place for excellent, down-to-earth French food.

The New York Times

Although this narrow, hard-surfaced spot (etched glass partitions, bare tables and floors, brick columns) is not the place for a quiet, relaxed tete-a-tete, especially on weekends when the 52-seat storefront is under siege, it is the place for excellent, down-to-earth French food.

The New York Times

The QD glass tubes are excellent down-conversion emitters accompanied with the GaN-based blue LEDs.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Carroll hit the post with a back-post header after a cross from the excellent Downing, who later watched a chance of his own being saved by the Wolves keeper.

BBC

This coat pairs excellent down-free insulation with a high degree of waterproof, breathable insulation for weatherproof performance that's suitable for the trail but built for the city.

HuffPost

Amiga Computing gave it the Gamer Gold award, calling the game "excellent", "down-right bloody enchanting" and Core Design's "easily greatest and most impressive game yet," and even advising to "buy it today because if you don't you will more than likely commit suicide, it's that good".

Wikipedia

Forgione's recipe for chili lobster is excellent: stripped down and strong.

The New York Times - Magazine

(Stuart Miller wrote an excellent Fifth Down post on Super Bowl coaches and Shanahan on Thursday).

The New York Times

Come early, install yourself at a table and feast on its famous steak (the peppery lomo sellado is excellent), washed down with a customary bottle of rum.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context carefully. If you intend to use "down" as part of a phrasal verb or prepositional phrase, ensure it is grammatically correct within that structure. If not, choose a more standard adjective like "excellent" on its own or find a more appropriate construction.

Common error

Avoid using "down" directly after "excellent" unless it's part of a well-established phrasal verb or prepositional phrase. For example, instead of saying "excellent down performance," consider "excellent performance" or "excellent downhill performance" if you mean a performance specifically going downhill.

Linguistic Context

Adjective phrase modifying a noun. The phrase "excellent down" appears in various contexts, but its grammatical function isn't always clear. The phrase often combines the adjective "excellent" with the preposition or adverb "down", as seen in Ludwig examples, where the intended meaning is something that involves going down.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

39%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "excellent down" is a curious case. While it appears in some contexts, it isn't a standard or clearly grammatical construction. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English. Examples from Ludwig reveal the phrase in contexts where “down” might be part of a phrasal verb or prepositional phrase, but overall, the phrase's usage is infrequent and potentially confusing. For clarity and precision, it is best to opt for alternative phrasings such as "outstanding descent" or rephrase to be more specific.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

outstanding descent

Replaces "excellent" with "outstanding" and focuses on the action of going downward, which implies "descent".

superb downward motion

Uses "superb" instead of "excellent" and specifies "downward motion" to clarify the direction.

exceptional fall

Substitutes "excellent" with "exceptional" and uses "fall" to suggest a downward movement.

excellent at descending

Rephrases to highlight the ability to descend well, focusing on the action.

skillful descent

Focuses on the skill involved in a downward movement, replacing "excellent" with "skillful".

proficient in lowering

Emphasizes the proficiency in the action of lowering something, altering the structure.

superior reduction

Highlights a high-quality reduction or decrease, changing the context slightly.

top-notch decline

Uses a more informal expression to describe a high-quality decline.

first-rate lowering

Similar to 'top-notch decline', this emphasizes quality in a lowering action.

remarkable drop

Focuses on the notability of a drop or decrease, changing the emphasis.

FAQs

How can I properly use "excellent" with directional words like "down"?

Ensure "down" is part of a prepositional phrase or phrasal verb that correctly modifies the noun. For instance, "excellent work down the left flank" uses "down" within a prepositional phrase, while "excellent at bringing "down" the ball" uses a phrasal verb.

What are some alternatives to using "excellent" in conjunction with "down"?

Depending on the intended meaning, alternatives include using "excellent" alone or rephrasing with more descriptive adjectives. Consider "superb descent", "skillful "downward motion"", or simply "excellent" followed by a more specific descriptor.

Is "excellent down" grammatically correct in all contexts?

No, "excellent down" is not always grammatically correct. It depends on the context and intended meaning. It is more likely to be correct if "down" is part of a prepositional phrase or phrasal verb. Otherwise, it might be considered ungrammatical.

How does the meaning change if I replace "excellent down" with a phrase like "remarkable drop"?

Replacing "excellent down" with a phrase like "remarkable drop" shifts the focus from general excellence to the specific action of dropping or declining. This change emphasizes the decrease or descent rather than the overall quality.