exceptional play

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exceptional play" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a performance in sports, theater, or any situation where someone demonstrates outstanding skill or talent. Example: "The quarterback's exceptional play led the team to victory in the championship game."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

"You ask him about some exceptional play he's made, and he's really reluctant to talk about it".

The New York Times - Sports

I left the theater thinking that while Mr. Malkovich was an exceptional presence, "Burn This" was not an exceptional play.

The New York Times

Mary Testa and Jackie Hoffman, both exceptional, play Melpomene and Calliope, Kira's fellow-muses and ugly sisters; they are the perfect stand-ins for every form of stunted lasciviousness.

The New Yorker

May 28 2015 July 19 201515 Set in an empty California theatre around 1914, Tom Jacobson's exceptional play tells the story of Brown Will Bradleyy, a fantastic performer) and Warren Robert Mammanaa, who overdoes it by shouting too much).

The New Yorker

Rick Nash of the New York Rangers finally engineered a goal with an exceptional play in front of Latvia's net, controlling the puck and circling to find Patrick Sharp for a wrist shot through John Tavares's screen.

The Guardian - Sport

Keegan Bradley, whose exceptional play in the Ryder Cup was a bright spot for the Americans, said a victory for one of his countrymen in China this weekend would provide a morale boost.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

From the outset, Davis shaped the music with a sense of momentum, drawing a ­mellow, soft-edged sound from the strings and some exceptional playing from the wind.

The Guardian - Music

Barenboim ensured that the orchestra provided the perfect platform for such exceptional playing, before joining Argerich for an encore – Schubert's A major Rondo for piano duet.

The Guardian - Music

"He was a model professional throughout an exceptional playing career and, as expected, he had quickly become a manager of huge potential.

BBC

Upon the album's 1964 release in the United Kingdom, Gramophone magazine's Charles Fox gave Misterioso a positive review and found its music "well up to standard", with exceptional playing by Monk and the rhythm section, particularly Haynes, who shows "once again what a great drummer he was then and, indeed, still is today".

Wikipedia

Among them, noble metal aerogels have emerged as state-of-the-art catalysts and these exceptional structures play crucial roles in various applications such as catalysis, sensors, etc.

Electrochimica Acta

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "exceptional play" to highlight a specific instance of high skill or performance in a particular context, especially when emphasizing its impact or significance.

Common error

Avoid using "exceptional play" as a generic compliment. Reserve it for situations where the performance is genuinely outstanding and demonstrably superior.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exceptional play" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "exceptional" modifies the noun "play". It is commonly used to describe specific instances of outstanding skill or performance, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exceptional play" is a commonly used noun phrase to describe instances of remarkable skill or performance. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and sports reporting. While alternatives like "outstanding performance" or "remarkable display" exist, "exceptional play" effectively emphasizes the superior quality of a specific action. It's best practice to reserve the phrase for genuinely outstanding performances, avoiding overuse in general contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

outstanding performance

Focuses on the act of performing at an exceptional level.

remarkable display

Highlights the visual aspect of an impressive action or event.

superb execution

Emphasizes the high quality and skill in carrying out a task.

brilliant maneuver

Suggests a clever and skillful action, often in a strategic context.

masterful performance

Implies a high level of expertise and control in the execution.

exemplary performance

Highlights the performance as a role model.

admirable feat

Focuses on the achievement and skill demonstrated.

noteworthy act

Emphasizes that the action is worthy of attention or recognition.

skillful demonstration

Highlights the visible display of skill or ability.

first-rate performance

Indicates top quality and high standards.

FAQs

How can I use "exceptional play" in a sentence?

You can use "exceptional play" to describe a specific instance of high skill or performance in a particular context. For example, "The quarterback's exceptional play led the team to victory."

What are some alternatives to "exceptional play"?

Alternatives include "outstanding performance", "remarkable display", or "superb execution", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "exceptional play" formal or informal language?

"Exceptional play" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although it's most commonly found in news, sports reporting, and analytical writing.

Which is correct, "exceptional play" or "exceptionable play"?

"Exceptional play" is correct when describing outstanding performance. "Exceptionable play" means something objectionable, and is rarely used.