had a really nice time

USAGE SUMMARY

'had a really nice time' is correct and usable in written English.
The phrase could be used to express that someone had an enjoyable experience. For example, "We went to the beach yesterday and had a really nice time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

He recovered himself and we had a really nice time.

University of California, Berkeley

"You know, we had a really nice time," Mr. Rutsky said.

The New York Times - Style

"I had a really nice time tonight," he said, unbuckling his seat belt.

The New Yorker

I felt as if I'd had a really nice time, but I think humour needs some aspect of tragedy in order to be memorable.

The Guardian - Books

If there isn't a spark you don't feel any obligation to immediately say, "I had a really nice time but I didn't think we quite clicked".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I had a really nice time, and it felt like he did too.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Those who have to work and study hardly sleep, whereas those whose parents are rich have a really nice time.

The Guardian

There's a refreshing sparseness about what's on stage, and – unusual this – the dancers look like they're having a really nice time.

The Guardian

Kirsty Egginton, who attended the event and spoke to BBC News at the time, said: "We come here and we have a really nice time... every time we leave we collect all of our litter".

BBC

I have a really nice time and say thank you.

Vice

You've barely parted with €50 and she will say something like, "For €100, you can have a really nice time".

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had a really nice time" to express genuine enjoyment and satisfaction with an experience. Be specific about what made the time enjoyable to add depth and sincerity to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "had a really nice time" repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language to maintain reader engagement. Instead of repeating it, try using phrases like "it was a delightful experience" or "I thoroughly enjoyed it".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had a really nice time" functions as a statement expressing enjoyment or satisfaction with a past event or experience. It serves to communicate that the speaker found the time spent to be pleasant and agreeable, and according to Ludwig, is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Wiki

21%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had a really nice time" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to express enjoyment of a past event. According to Ludwig, the phrase is considered correct and usable in written English. While versatile, it's most frequently found in news, media, and informal contexts. For more formal or scientific writing, consider using a more precise equivalent. Remembering to vary your vocabulary when describing positive experiences will greatly improve your writing. The examples provided by Ludwig showcase the phrase's common application and demonstrate its effectiveness in conveying simple, genuine pleasure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had a delightful time

Replaces "really nice" with "delightful", emphasizing enjoyment and pleasure.

had a great time

Uses "great" instead of "really nice", providing a more general expression of enjoyment.

had a fantastic time

Uses "fantastic" to amplify the positive feeling, suggesting a highly positive experience.

had an enjoyable time

Substitutes "enjoyable" for "really nice", highlighting the pleasant nature of the experience.

had a wonderful experience

Shifts the focus from a specific time to a broader experience, implying a positive overall impression.

spent a pleasant time

Focuses on spending time in a pleasant way.

had a pleasurable experience

Highlights the pleasure derived from the experience.

thoroughly enjoyed myself

Emphasizes personal enjoyment and satisfaction.

had a memorable time

Indicates that the time was significant and likely to be remembered.

had a satisfying time

Implies that the time met expectations and provided contentment.

FAQs

How can I use "had a really nice time" in a sentence?

You can use "had a really nice time" to express enjoyment after an event or experience. For example, "I /s/had+a+really+nice+time/ at the party last night" or "We /s/had+a+really+nice+time/ on our vacation".

What can I say instead of "had a really nice time"?

You can use alternatives like "had a great time", "had an enjoyable experience", or "thoroughly enjoyed myself" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "had a really nice time" or "had a very nice time"?

Both "/s/had+a+really+nice+time/" and "had a very nice time" are correct, but "had a really nice time" is more common in informal conversation. "Really" often adds a touch more emphasis than "very".

What's the difference between "had a nice time" and "had a really nice time"?

The addition of "really" in "/s/had+a+really+nice+time/" intensifies the expression of enjoyment, suggesting a more positive or memorable experience compared to simply "had a nice time".