in excellent order

USAGE SUMMARY

The expression "in excellent order" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe a situation in which all is well, organized, and functioning properly. For example, "The dorms were clean and in excellent order after a weekend of spring cleaning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The dogs all fell into line, single file, headed by the unidentified dog and brought up in the rear by the dachshund, and, with the woman in the lead they crossed in excellent order.

The New Yorker

Most public housing is in decent shape: More than 85percentt of units meet or exceed federal standards, and more than 40percentt of developments are considered to be in excellent order.

The Washington Post

The gear they left was in excellent order and they seem to have had a comfortable trip with their dog teams, very different from our wretched man-hauling".

BBC

While such tasks are not obligatory, they are carried out in order to help, and out of a sense of duty and pride in being able to hand over a ward in excellent order to the day staff.

BMC Nursing

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

There are actually five levels of honor for men and women in the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire: Knight/Dame Grand Cross (GBE), Knight/Dame Commander (KBE), Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE), Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire(OBE), and Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE).

WikiHow

The believer can realize this power in action guided by Excellent Order and Good Mind.

Britannica

It suggested that the word "Commander" as in Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, or C.B.E., had a "militaristic ring" and should be dropped.

The New York Times

Ensure that your irrigation system is in excellent working order.

WikiHow

Estimated radiation power exceeds 0.1 μW, resulting in excellent conversion efficiency of the order of 10−4.

Solid-State Electronics

The results from the two methods are in excellent agreement with the second order SLM series giving accuracy of up to five significant figures.

Boundary Value Problems

Second-order polynomial functions result in excellent fits (r = 0.9998 and 0.9999, respectively) to these data.

Environmental Science & Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in excellent order" to describe something meticulously maintained and properly arranged, suitable for both formal and semi-formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "in excellent order" in very informal settings; simpler phrases like "in good shape" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in excellent order" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a noun or verb to describe the condition or state of something. Ludwig provides examples where it describes the state of gear, public housing, and a ward in a hospital.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in excellent order" is a prepositional phrase used to describe a state of proper condition and organization. According to Ludwig AI, the expression is correct and suitable for written English. While grammatically sound, its frequency is rare, appearing mostly in News & Media, Scientific publications and Wiki articles. When using "in excellent order", consider the context and audience, opting for simpler alternatives like "in good shape" for informal situations. While "in excellent order" is precise, it is important to ensure that the register aligns with the writing context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in perfect condition

Emphasizes the flawless state of something, shifting the focus from arrangement to state.

in tip-top shape

Highlights the top condition of something.

in prime condition

Suggests something is in its best possible state, particularly regarding performance or value.

in good shape

A more general term suggesting a satisfactory condition, less formal than "in excellent order".

well-maintained

Highlights the act of keeping something in good condition over time, implying upkeep.

shipshape

Implies a high degree of neatness and order, often used in a nautical context but applicable elsewhere.

in fine fettle

An idiom describing something or someone in excellent condition.

in apple-pie order

An informal idiom emphasizing neatness and tidiness, more emphatic than "in excellent order".

organized effectively

Focuses on the organization aspect, rather than overall condition.

running smoothly

Focuses on functionality and operational efficiency.

FAQs

How can I use "in excellent order" in a sentence?

You can use "in excellent order" to describe the condition of something well-maintained or organized, as in, "The equipment was found "in excellent order" after the inspection".

What's a more formal alternative to "in excellent order"?

While "in excellent order" is already quite formal, you could use phrases like "in perfect condition" or "well-maintained" to emphasize specific aspects of its condition.

Is "in excellent order" suitable for describing people?

While less common, "in excellent order" can metaphorically describe a person's physical or mental state, implying they are well-prepared or functioning optimally. However, consider alternatives like "in good shape" for better clarity.

What are some common synonyms for "in excellent order"?

Common synonyms include "in good shape", "well maintained", and "shipshape", each with slightly different connotations.