gung ho

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gung ho" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone who is extremely enthusiastic or eager, often in a team or work context. Example: "The team was gung ho about the new project, ready to tackle any challenges that came their way."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Reference

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"I wasn't gung ho.

The Guardian - Music

"I'm gung ho," she said.

The New Yorker

Really on it, gung ho.

The Guardian

"And now they're all gung ho".

The New Yorker

You have to become gung ho".

Huffington Post

Carol seems pretty gung ho for everything.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Others are less gung-ho.

The Economist

Experts are less gung-ho.

The Economist

He is quite gung-ho.

The New Yorker

The Lib Dems are more gung-ho.

The Guardian

They're gung-ho.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gung ho" to describe a team's or individual's enthusiastic approach to a task or project. It's particularly effective when you want to highlight a proactive and energetic attitude.

Common error

Avoid using "gung ho" in highly formal or academic writing. While acceptable in news and media, it can sound too informal in professional or academic settings. Opt for words like "enthusiastic" or "committed" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gung ho" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe a state of extreme enthusiasm or eagerness. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of the phrase. Examples from Ludwig show it describing people, attitudes, and approaches.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Reference

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "gung ho" is an adjective describing someone or something as very enthusiastic or eager. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness in written English, although it leans toward a neutral to informal register. While mostly seen in News & Media, it's less appropriate in formal contexts. Alternatives like "enthusiastic", "eager", or "committed" may be preferable depending on the situation. Remember to avoid overusing "gung ho" in academic writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gung-ho about

Using preposition "about" after gung-ho, instead of alone

enthusiastic

A general term for having or showing great excitement and interest.

eager

Implies a strong desire or impatience to do something.

zealous

Suggests passionate and unwavering support, sometimes to an excessive degree.

keen

Indicates eagerness or enthusiasm.

avid

Describes someone with a strong interest or enthusiasm for something.

passionate

Indicates intense enthusiasm and strong feelings.

wholehearted

Implies complete sincerity and commitment.

fervent

Suggests intense and passionate enthusiasm.

all in

Implies total commitment and enthusiasm

FAQs

How can I use "gung ho" in a sentence?

You can use "gung ho" to describe someone who is very enthusiastic and eager. For example: "The team was "gung ho" about the new project".

What's a less informal alternative to "gung ho"?

If you need a less informal alternative, consider using words like "enthusiastic", "eager", or "committed". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it always appropriate to use the phrase "gung ho"?

While "gung ho" is generally acceptable, it's best suited for informal or semi-formal contexts. Avoid using it in highly formal or academic writing, where it might sound out of place.

What does it mean when someone is "gung ho"?

When someone is described as "gung ho", it means they are very enthusiastic and eager, often to the point of being zealous or overly enthusiastic. They are fully committed and ready to tackle any challenge.