in excellent shape

USAGE SUMMARY

"in excellent shape" is a perfectly valid phrase to use in written English.
You can use it when talking about a situation, object, or person that is substantially better than average. For example, you could say: "After the renovation, the old theater is now in excellent shape."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Baltimore appeared to be in excellent shape to win without extra innings after Jones homered to lead off the seventh.

The New York Times - Sports

He is in excellent shape.

The Guardian - Sport

Market fundamentals are in excellent shape.

The Washington Post

"Looking forward, Hornby is in excellent shape.

The Guardian - Business

Other than that, I'm in excellent shape.

The New Yorker

"We're in excellent shape right now," he said.

The New York Times

"The building itself is in excellent shape," she said.

The New York Times - Arts

"Everybody's in excellent shape," Baffert said today from California.

The New York Times - Sports

Until then, though, Seattle are in excellent shape.

The Guardian - Sport

"Germany is in excellent shape domestically," Mr. Schmieding said.

The New York Times

The orchestra he inherited was in excellent shape.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a person's health, use "in excellent shape" to convey that they are physically fit and healthy. For example: "After training for the marathon, she was in excellent shape."

Common error

Avoid using "in excellent shape" to solely indicate temporary performance or success without underlying strength or condition. For example, it would be misleading to say "The team was in excellent shape for the first half of the game" if they were ultimately unprepared or lacked endurance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in excellent shape" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective phrase. It is used to attribute a quality of being in very good condition to a noun. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating this usage, with the Ludwig AI affirming its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

12%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in excellent shape" is a common and versatile expression used to describe something or someone that is in very good condition, whether physically, financially, or structurally. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and Ludwig provides numerous examples showcasing its usage across various contexts, from news and media to academia and science. Its communicative purpose is to convey a positive assessment, and it maintains a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. While alternatives such as "in stellar shape" or "in fantastic shape" offer slight variations in intensity, the core meaning remains consistent. When using the phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the subject's condition and avoid misapplying it to temporary states without underlying strength.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in stellar shape

Uses "stellar" to imply outstanding condition, a more emphatic synonym.

in fantastic shape

Replaces "excellent" with "fantastic", indicating a very good condition.

in splendid shape

Uses "splendid" which suggests impressive or beautiful condition.

in magnificent shape

Replaces "excellent" with "magnificent", implying grandeur and exceptional quality.

in impeccable shape

Uses "impeccable" to emphasize a flawless condition.

in beautiful shape

Uses "beautiful" to suggest an aesthetically pleasing or well-maintained state.

in tremendous shape

Replaces "excellent" with "tremendous", showing a great or remarkable condition.

in superior shape

Suggests a condition that is better than others of its kind.

in impressive shape

Replaces "excellent" with "impressive", suggesting it causes admiration or respect.

in remarkable shape

Emphasizes the unusual or noteworthy aspect of being in excellent condition.

FAQs

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

You can use "in excellent shape" to describe something or someone that is in very good condition. For example: "The car is old, but it's "in excellent shape"" or "After months of training, he is "in excellent shape" for the competition".

What's a good alternative to saying "in excellent shape"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases such as "in top condition", "in great form", or "in peak condition" as alternatives to "in excellent shape".

Is it appropriate to use "in excellent shape" in formal writing?

Yes, "in excellent shape" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing. It is a commonly used phrase that is widely understood and accepted across various contexts.

Can "in excellent shape" refer to abstract concepts or only physical conditions?

While it often describes physical condition, "in excellent shape" can also apply to abstract concepts like finances or plans. For instance, you might say, "The company's finances are "in excellent shape"" or "The project is "in excellent shape" for completion".