he was very good

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was very good" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone's skills, performance, or behavior positively in various contexts, such as sports, work, or personal attributes. Example: "In the final match, he was very good, scoring three goals and assisting his teammates."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

He was very good today.

The Guardian - Sport

He was very good at this.

The New Yorker

"He was very good in the studio.

The New York Times - Arts

He was very good at spotting opportunities.

The New York Times - Arts

He was very good, very solid".

The New Yorker

"And he was very good at it".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

But he was very good-looking.

The Guardian

"He was very good-looking, German, blond, blue eyes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He was very good-natured.

Huffington Post

"And he's very good".

The New York Times

He's very good indeed.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he was very good" to convey general approval or satisfaction with someone's performance or character. Ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While "he was very good" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid overusing it in formal writing. Opt for more sophisticated synonyms like "he was exceptionally skilled" or "he demonstrated remarkable proficiency" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was very good" functions as a subject complement, providing a description of the subject ('he'). Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It serves to attribute a positive quality or skill to the subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sport

15%

Lifestyle

15%

Less common in

Arts

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he was very good" is a grammatically correct and very common way to express approval or satisfaction. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and examples show its application across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While generally neutral in tone, more formal alternatives may be preferred in certain professional settings. Consider using phrases like "he was exceptionally good" or "he was outstandingly good" for heightened emphasis or a more polished style. Avoid overuse in formal writing to maintain sophistication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was exceptionally good

Emphasizes a higher degree of quality or skill.

he was remarkably good

Highlights the unusual or surprising nature of his goodness.

he was extremely good

Similar to 'very good' but with a slightly stronger emphasis.

he was particularly good

Indicates goodness in a specific aspect or situation.

he was impressively good

Highlights the admirable quality of his goodness.

he was outstandingly good

Suggests a level of goodness that stands out from the rest.

he was admirably good

Emphasizes the praiseworthy aspect of his goodness.

he was skillful

Focuses specifically on his level of skill.

he was talented

Highlights his innate ability or aptitude.

he was proficient

Emphasizes his competence and expertise.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "he was very good"?

You can use alternatives like "he was excellent", "he was exceptional", or "he was outstanding" depending on the context.

Is "he was very good" grammatically correct?

Yes, "he was very good" is grammatically correct and follows standard English sentence structure. It uses a subject ("he"), a linking verb ("was"), and an adjective phrase ("very good") to describe the subject.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "he was very good"?

The phrase "he was very good" is appropriate in a wide range of contexts, from casual conversation to more formal writing, when you want to express approval or satisfaction with someone's performance, skill, or character.

What is the difference between "he was good" and "he was very good"?

The addition of "very" intensifies the adjective "good", indicating a higher degree of approval or satisfaction. "He was good" simply states that he met a certain standard, while "he was very good" suggests he exceeded expectations.