good work

USAGE SUMMARY

'good work' is an acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it to appropriately praise someone for a job well done. For example, "You wrote a great report - good work!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's good work.

Independent

Good work, Sport.

The Guardian - Sport

I do good work.

The New Yorker

Good work, good movement".

The New York Times - Sports

Who's against good work?

Independent

But it's good work.

The New York Times - Arts

Good work, Senator Alexander.

The New York Times

Good work guys.

Independent

Good work, Mom.

The New York Times

It is doing good work".

The Guardian

Keep up your good work.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When addressing a group, you can use "good work, everyone" for efficiency and inclusivity.

Common error

Avoid using "good work" excessively without specific feedback, as it can lose its impact. Balance general praise with targeted comments that highlight what made the work effective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "good work" functions primarily as an expression of praise or approval. It's a concise way to acknowledge someone's successful completion of a task or project, as seen in Ludwig's examples from news and academic sources. It acknowledges both the action and result.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

21%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "good work" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to express approval and appreciation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted and understood across various contexts. It's particularly common in news and media, as well as academic settings. While there are more formal alternatives, its simplicity makes it a go-to phrase for quickly and effectively acknowledging someone's accomplishments. Remember to tailor your praise with specifics to enhance its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

well done

A direct and simple expression of praise.

great job

A common and versatile way to praise someone's work.

excellent job

Emphasizes the high quality of the work performed.

outstanding performance

Highlights the exceptional nature of the achievement.

commendable effort

Acknowledges the dedication and hard work put in.

remarkable achievement

Focuses on the significant accomplishment made.

fantastic effort

Expresses enthusiasm and appreciation for the work.

superb execution

Highlights the skill and precision in carrying out the task.

first-rate performance

Indicates a high standard of quality and skill.

terrific job

An informal way to express approval and satisfaction.

FAQs

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

You can use "good work" as a simple expression of praise after someone completes a task. For example, "The report is excellent, good work!"

What are some alternatives to saying "good work"?

Alternatives include phrases like "well done", "great job", or "excellent work", depending on the level of formality you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "good work" in formal settings?

Yes, "good work" is generally appropriate in both formal and informal settings. However, in highly formal situations, you might opt for a more sophisticated alternative like "commendable effort".

How can I make my praise more impactful than just saying "good work"?

To make your praise more meaningful, follow "good work" with specific details about what was done well. For instance, "Good work on the presentation; the visuals were especially effective."