good grief

USAGE SUMMARY

"good grief" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to express disappointment or frustration, usually with a humorous edge. Example sentence: "Good grief, I can't believe I forgot my wallet at home again!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

4.06pm: Bolton 2-1 Liverpool Good grief.

The Guardian - Sport

Good grief".

The New York Times

Good grief, y'all".

The New York Times

Amen, and good grief!

The New York Times - Books

Good grief, a trend?

The New York Times - Sports

STEVE COLL: Good grief.

The New Yorker

#SOTU Good grief.

Independent

"Good grief," he says.

The New York Times - Food

TP: Good grief.

Independent

Good Grief, Charlie Brown!

The Guardian - Books

But good grief.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "good grief" to express mild surprise, dismay, or frustration in informal settings. It adds a touch of humor and lightheartedness to your communication.

Common error

Avoid using "good grief" excessively, as it can become repetitive and lose its impact. Vary your expressions of surprise or dismay to maintain the reader's interest.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "good grief" primarily functions as an interjection. Ludwig AI confirms its use to express surprise, dismay, or exasperation. It's a common way to react to unexpected or frustrating situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "good grief" is a versatile interjection used to express a range of emotions, from mild surprise to frustration. Ludwig AI classifies it as correct and usable in written English. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts and is generally considered to have a neutral register. While there are no major grammatical errors associated with the phrase, overuse should be avoided. Alternative phrases like "good heavens" or "good gravy" can provide variety. Authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employ the expression, confirming its widespread acceptance and usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Good heavens

This alternative is a slightly more formal expression of surprise or shock.

Good gravy

This alternative is a milder, more humorous expression of surprise or dismay.

For crying out loud

This alternative expresses frustration or exasperation more strongly.

Oh my goodness

This alternative expresses surprise or shock in a slightly more polite manner.

What in the world

This alternative expresses surprise, confusion, or dismay.

Heavens to Betsy

This alternative is an older, somewhat folksy expression of surprise or disbelief.

That's unbelievable

This alternative is focused more on the incredulity of the situation.

Well, I never

This alternative expresses surprise and shock, often in response to unexpected news.

I can't believe it

This alternative expresses disbelief or shock at a situation.

How annoying

This alternative simplifies the expression to a statement of annoyance.

FAQs

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

"Good grief" is an interjection used to express surprise, dismay, or exasperation. For example, "Good grief, I forgot to set my alarm!"

What's a more formal alternative to "good grief"?

While "good grief" is generally informal, more formal alternatives include "good heavens" or simply expressing your surprise or dismay directly.

Is "good grief" always appropriate to use?

While generally mild, consider your audience and the context. In highly formal or sensitive situations, a more neutral expression might be preferable.

What's the difference between "good grief" and "good gravy"?

Both phrases express surprise or dismay, but "good gravy" is often considered a more folksy or humorous alternative to "good grief".