it was brilliant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was brilliant" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express admiration or praise for something that was exceptionally good or impressive. Example: "The performance last night was incredible; it was brilliant from start to finish."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

"No," he shoots back, "it was brilliant.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And it was brilliant.

The New York Times

It was brilliant".

The New York Times

It was brilliant straight away.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It was brilliant drama.

The Guardian - Sport

"It was brilliant," Varty said.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

And it's brilliant.

The New York Times

It is brilliant.

The New Yorker

It's brilliant".

The New York Times - Arts

It is brilliant by choice.

Independent

It is brilliant, but derivative.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was brilliant" to express strong approval or admiration for a specific event, performance, or idea. It's suitable when you want to convey genuine enthusiasm.

Common error

While generally acceptable, avoid overusing "it was brilliant" in very formal or academic writing. Opt for more nuanced and professional alternatives like "it was exceptional" or "it was remarkable" in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was brilliant" functions as a subject complement, providing a description of the subject. It expresses a strong positive evaluation or judgment. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression conveys admiration or praise.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was brilliant" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey strong admiration and approval. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's widely used in news and media, signaling a positive evaluation. While generally neutral in register, it might be substituted with more formal alternatives like "it was exceptional" or "it was remarkable" in certain academic or professional settings. When using "it was brilliant", ensure that you are expressing genuine enthusiasm and that the context is appropriate for the level of formality. Numerous examples available showcase its versatility across various topics.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was excellent

Replaces "brilliant" with a more general term for high quality.

it was outstanding

Emphasizes the exceptional nature of something.

it was superb

Uses a sophisticated term for high quality and skill.

it was magnificent

Highlights grandeur and impressiveness.

it was fantastic

Expresses great enthusiasm and enjoyment.

it was remarkable

Focuses on the noteworthy or unusual nature of something.

it was wonderful

Conveys a sense of delight and pleasure.

it was impressive

Highlights the impact and effect on the observer.

it was exceptional

Indicates a deviation from the norm in a positive way.

it was masterful

Emphasizes skill and control in execution.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "it was brilliant"?

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

Is "it was brilliant" too informal for academic writing?

While "it was brilliant" isn't strictly incorrect, it leans towards informal. For academic writing, consider more formal alternatives such as "it was remarkable" or "it was exceptional".

How to use "it was brilliant" in a sentence?

Use "it was brilliant" to express strong approval or admiration. For example, "The concert last night? It was brilliant!" or "Her solution to the problem? It was brilliant."

What's the difference between "it was brilliant" and "it was good"?

"It was good" expresses general satisfaction. "It was brilliant" conveys much stronger enthusiasm and admiration, suggesting something was exceptionally well done or impressive.