good haul

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "good haul" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a successful collection or acquisition of items, often in contexts like fishing, shopping, or treasure hunting. Example: "After spending the day at the flea market, I came home with a good haul of vintage clothes and unique trinkets."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Both recreational and commercial fishermen know to head toward the rigs to assure a good haul.

The New York Times

Our hunt yesterday produced a good haul of shrimp species, but, alas, none of the social ones we're searching for.

The New York Times

A good haul for one afternoon – 650 live rats – many of them more than two feet long.

The Guardian

Brits had a good haul with this year's Oscar nominations, with Steve Coogan's Philomena also being recognised along with Gravity, much of which was produced in the UK.

Independent

A good haul in the medal count can "boost their political credentials and bring them economic returns," the state news service conceded.

The New Yorker

His comment has now received 2,326 upvotes - considered a good haul - and the discussion on site brings up the tempestuous topic of free speech and trolling.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

And to my fellow fishermen: I wish safe waters and good hauls.

The New York Times

Redesigned by the architects Jakob + MacFarlane, the complex was once a turn-of-the-last-century depot for goods hauled by boats on the Seine.

The New York Times - Travel

A tableau had been created in the once-barren foyer with more goods hauled down from upstairs: another gateleg table, two chairs, a lamp and a plant.

The New York Times

Or perhaps you're attending the course he's teaching at Coop er Union, called "The Pollut ed Environment". At the first session he brought in a bag of canned goods, hauled them out one by one and told his students that this one could cause brain tumors, that one cancer, the next blood poison ing.

The New York Times

The men on average carry nearly their own body weight in goods, hauling everything from rice to televisions for up to 100 kilometers along steep dirt paths.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "good haul", consider the context. It's appropriate for informal situations like fishing or shopping, but in a business setting, more formal alternatives like "substantial gain" or "productive yield" might be better.

Common error

Avoid using "good haul" in formal reports or academic papers. It's generally considered too informal for these settings. Opt for more professional language to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "good haul" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "good" is an adjective modifying the noun "haul". It describes the quality or size of something obtained, often in the context of collecting, catching, or acquiring items. Ludwig examples illustrate this usage across diverse domains.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "good haul" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression to describe a successful acquisition or collection of items. According to Ludwig, the phrase is deemed appropriate for written English. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts, with some presence in science and more formal business settings. While versatile, "good haul" leans towards informality, making it less suitable for highly formal or academic writing, where alternatives like "substantial gain" or "productive yield" might be preferred. As such, consider your audience and the formality of the situation when choosing whether or not to use "good haul".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

successful catch

Focuses on the success of obtaining something specifically through catching or acquiring.

productive yield

Emphasizes the output or result being produced in a positive and abundant manner.

substantial gain

Highlights the significant increase or profit obtained.

impressive collection

Focuses on the quality and impact of the gathered items.

decent return

Implies a satisfactory outcome or profit from an effort.

nice acquisition

Highlights the positive aspect of obtaining something new.

considerable amount

Emphasizes the large quantity or size of what was obtained.

significant number

Focuses on the notable quantity of something.

sizeable quantity

Highlights the substantial amount of something acquired.

fruitful endeavor

Stresses the success and positive results of an activity or undertaking.

FAQs

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

You can use "good haul" to describe a successful collection or acquisition of items. For example, "After the Black Friday sales, I came home with a "good haul" of electronics".

What's a more formal way to say "good haul"?

In a professional context, you could use alternatives like "substantial gain", "productive yield", or "significant return" to convey a similar meaning with increased formality.

Is "good haul" appropriate for academic writing?

No, "good haul" is generally too informal for academic writing. Consider using more precise and formal language depending on the specific context of your writing.

What does "good haul" mean in the context of fishing?

In fishing, "good haul" refers to a successful fishing trip where a significant amount of fish was caught. For example, "The fishermen returned to the harbor with a "good haul" of cod".