first-rate students

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "first-rate students" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe students who are of high quality or excellence in their academic performance or abilities. Example: "The university is known for attracting first-rate students from around the world, ensuring a competitive and enriching learning environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Backing Ms. Arby for a few of hers, the band proved that its members were first-rate students.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

For Mr. Onken, creating a first-rate student symphony was about more than drilling his charges harder.

The New York Times

Mr. Rammelkamp is a first-rate student, takes advanced placement biology, plays electric guitar and wants to go to college, his mother, Debra, said.

The New York Times

One, writing in Vedomosti, an influential financial newspaper published by The Wall Street Journal and The Financial Times, labeled a nominee "a second-rate student show" and knocked another for being an "amateur" display.

The New York Times

Davidson was the star turn in the three-strong Remain team and, on several occasions, made Boris Johnson, a man whose views she is known to despise, look like a second-rate student union bawler.

The Guardian - Opinion

This third-rate student of Wittgenstein and Derrida is as hung up on the idea that it's difficult to make language communicate as a freshman at an elitist liberal arts college first made aware of it.

Huffington Post

Camus was a first-rate philosophy student, and the French meritocratic system had purchase even in the distant province.

The New Yorker

"Class Warfare" takes us into the classrooms of the Harlem Success Academy and other successful charter schools, where the teaching is first-rate and those students lucky enough to be admitted are genuinely learning.

The New York Times

White points to flagship missions such as the Hubble Space Telescope that are unaffected by the cutbacks and continue to produce first-rate science, "supporting students and allowing them to become our future leaders in the field," he says.

Science Magazine

But, we cannot simply rely on the state to provide first-rate conditions for Ph.D. students when the students' voices cannot be heard.

Science Magazine

With more than 40 million children playing organized sports — often on first-rate travel teams — more students are graduating from high school with extensive athletic interest and skills than ever before.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "first-rate students" to describe students who excel academically and demonstrate exceptional abilities in their field of study.

Common error

Avoid using weaker adjectives like "good" or "average" when "first-rate" is more appropriate. Ensure the adjective accurately reflects the students' exceptional qualities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first-rate students" functions as a noun phrase, where "first-rate" is an adjective modifying the noun "students". It describes the quality or caliber of the students. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's perfectly correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "first-rate students" is a grammatically correct and usable term for describing students of exceptional quality, confirmed by Ludwig AI. While not extremely common, it appears in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. It is best used to highlight the academic excellence and superior skills of a group of students. Alternatives such as "high-caliber students" or "top-tier students" can be used for variety. When using the phrase, be sure to apply it accurately to students who truly demonstrate outstanding abilities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

high-caliber students

This alternative emphasizes the quality and skill level of the students.

top-tier students

This alternative highlights the students' position in the top level.

excellent students

This alternative uses a more general adjective to describe the students' quality.

outstanding students

This alternative focuses on the students' remarkable performance.

exceptional students

This alternative emphasizes the students' uncommon abilities.

superior students

This alternative highlights the students' above-average quality.

premier students

This alternative suggests that the students are among the best.

elite students

This alternative denotes a select group of students with high abilities.

accomplished students

This alternative emphasizes the students' achievements and skills.

talented students

This alternative focuses on the students' natural abilities and gifts.

FAQs

How can I use "first-rate students" in a sentence?

You can use "first-rate students" to describe a group of students who are highly skilled and perform exceptionally well academically. For example, "The university attracts "first-rate students" from around the world".

What are some alternatives to "first-rate students"?

Alternatives include "high-caliber students", "top-tier students", or "exceptional students", which all emphasize the high quality and skill level of the students.

Is it appropriate to use "first-rate students" in formal writing?

Yes, "first-rate students" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in academic or professional contexts. It clearly and positively describes students of exceptional quality.

What distinguishes "first-rate students" from "good students"?

"First-rate students" implies a higher level of excellence and skill than simply "good students". It suggests that these students are among the best in their cohort.