marvellous boy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "marvellous boy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a boy in a positive and admiring way, often highlighting his qualities or achievements. Example: "The marvellous boy helped his classmates with their projects, showcasing his leadership skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

He's a marvellous boy.

The Guardian - Sport

"And we were happy, we were celebrating this marvellous boy" — she squeezed Michael's hand — "celebrating thirty years of your wonderful talent, my dear, and everything was just beautiful.

The New Yorker

William Shatner is the Canadian marvellous boy who went from doing Shakespeare under Tyrone Guthrie to helming the USS Enterprise as Captain James T Kirk and from there to sleeping in a camper van.

The Guardian - Books

If Tolkien was, as Ricks insists, in any sense our Ossian, then perhaps Christopher Paolini is our Chatterton — the early Romantics' "marvellous boy," who, inspired by Ossian, made up his own set of pseudo-medieval poems, attributing them to a poet named Rowley, and claiming that his father found them in a chest.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

For when the pastor asked me, with that marvellous smile, "Whose little boy are you?" my heart replied at once, "Why, yours".

The New Yorker

"Some of the football that the old team played was marvellous and I think that the boys have done us proud in this Africa Cup of Nations".

BBC

Here are our marvellous English lads, our big brave boys, our large football sons.

Vice

I thought, gee, boy, remember that picture was a marvellous movie.

The New Yorker

Inspired by the glam of Bowie, T. Rex, Roxy Music, Prince, and Boy George, "all those things had a marvellous influence on making us totally bent," the pair aim to imbue their art with gender bending concepts and equally amorphous, ethereal costumes.

Vice

The marvellous bust sitting on top of the cupboard is of a boy aged around nine or 10, and it's nearly 2,000 years old.

Independent

5-7), has it all: circle dances, fluttering birds, kisses, boys socking each other in the face, all performed by the marvellous Mark Morris Dance Group, to the sounds of a glorious Handel oratorio, courtesy of the Orchestra of St . Lukes.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a young person with exceptional talent or character, use "marvellous boy" to add a touch of sophistication and admiration to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "marvellous boy" excessively in casual conversation or informal writing. While grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or affected in everyday contexts. Consider using more common alternatives like "great boy" or "wonderful boy" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "marvellous boy" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "marvellous" modifies the noun "boy". It serves to describe or identify a particular boy with positive qualities. Ludwig AI confirms this with its examples showcasing usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "marvellous boy" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express admiration for a young male. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usage, it's important to note its relatively low frequency and potential for sounding overly formal in casual contexts. Consider alternatives like "wonderful boy" or "great boy" in informal settings. Despite its rarity, the phrase is employed by reputable sources like The Guardian and The New Yorker, lending it a degree of credibility and sophistication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remarkable boy

Replaces "marvellous" with "remarkable", emphasizing the boy's outstanding qualities.

splendid boy

Substitutes "marvellous" with "splendid", offering a more formal and elegant tone.

extraordinary boy

Replaces "marvellous" with "extraordinary", highlighting the boy's exceptional nature.

wonderful boy

Uses "wonderful" instead of "marvellous", providing a slightly less formal and more common alternative.

fantastic boy

Replaces "marvellous" with "fantastic", offering a more enthusiastic and informal tone.

excellent boy

Substitutes "marvellous" with "excellent", focusing on the boy's superior qualities or performance.

terrific boy

Replaces "marvellous" with "terrific", suggesting a high degree of approval and enjoyment.

great boy

Uses "great" as a general term of approval instead of "marvellous".

amazing boy

Replaces "marvellous" with "amazing", emphasizing the boy's capacity to inspire awe and astonishment.

admirable boy

Shifts focus slightly from inherent quality to the boy's worthiness of admiration.

FAQs

What does "marvellous boy" mean?

The phrase "marvellous boy" describes a young male individual who is exceptional, impressive, or admirable. It's a way of expressing strong approval or delight in the boy's qualities or achievements.

What can I say instead of "marvellous boy"?

You can use alternatives like "wonderful boy", "splendid boy", or "remarkable boy" depending on the context.

Is "marvellous boy" a common expression?

The phrase "marvellous boy" is not as common as other similar expressions like "wonderful boy" or "great boy". It has a slightly more formal and old-fashioned feel, though it is still perfectly acceptable to use.

How to use "marvellous boy" in a sentence?

You can use "marvellous boy" to describe someone's character or abilities. For example: "He's a "marvellous boy". He worked to get to the point where he became a great player."