excellent grades

USAGE SUMMARY

"excellent grades" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is usually used to describe something that has been achieved in school or college, for example: "John got excellent grades in his final exams."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Earn excellent grades during your first year.

University of California, Berkeley

Brother Gang must have had excellent grades in school".

The New Yorker

She is a high-flying student with excellent grades.

The Guardian

He insisted on early curfews, ladylike manners and excellent grades.

The New York Times

His normally excellent grades dipped in the final quarter of sophomore year.

The Washington Post

The second-oldest helped take care of her sisters but still managed excellent grades at school.

The New York Times

In his five years there, he received excellent grades and learned English along the way.

The New York Times

She had excellent grades at school, and yet still Oxford turned her down.

The Economist

Do your eyes skim over those excellent grades and immediately focus on the D? You're not alone.

The Washington Post

Students were accepted for the usual reasons: their admirable community service, excellent grades, outstanding SAT scores, athletic ability.

The New York Times

The "top ten percenters," as they are known, may have lower S.A.T. scores, but they get excellent grades.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing academic achievement, using "excellent grades" is suitable in most contexts, from casual conversations to formal reports. However, for increased precision, consider specifying the grading system (e.g., "excellent grades on the AP exam") or the subject area (e.g., "excellent grades in mathematics").

Common error

Do not assume that "excellent grades" are the sole indicator of future success. While they demonstrate academic competence, employers and institutions also value soft skills, practical experience, and personal qualities. Balance your focus between academic achievements and well-rounded development.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "excellent grades" functions primarily as a noun phrase modifier. It describes the quality of 'grades', indicating they are of a high standard. Ludwig confirms its correct usage and common occurrence in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Wiki

26%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "excellent grades" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe high academic achievement. Ludwig provides many examples from reputable sources demonstrating its widespread use across various contexts. The phrase functions to convey information about academic performance, often with a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal settings. Remember that while "excellent grades" is a valuable accomplishment, it shouldn't be considered the sole measure of future success.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

high grades

Focuses on the height of the grades achieved, implying top marks.

top marks

Emphasizes achieving the highest possible scores.

outstanding academic performance

Replaces 'grades' with a broader term 'academic performance', adding more emphasis on scholarity.

first-rate scores

Uses more sophisticated synonyms for 'excellent' and 'grades'.

exceptional marks

Emphasizes the unusual quality of the scores achieved.

superior grades

Indicates grades that are above average.

remarkable grades

Highlights the noteworthiness and impressiveness of the grades.

high academic standing

Shifts the focus to overall academic position rather than specific grades.

stellar grades

Implies grades that shine brightly or are exceptionally good.

exemplary grades

Stresses that the grades are so good they are setting the example for others.

FAQs

How can I use "excellent grades" in a sentence?

You can use "excellent grades" to describe someone's academic performance, for instance: "She received "excellent grades" in all her subjects this semester."

What is a more formal way to say "excellent grades"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "outstanding academic performance" or "superior academic achievement".

Are "excellent grades" enough to get into a top university?

While "excellent grades" are crucial, top universities also consider extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation. It's a holistic review process.

What's the difference between "good grades" and "excellent grades"?

"Good grades" suggest above-average performance, while "excellent grades" imply top-tier or near-perfect results.