my goodness

USAGE SUMMARY

"my goodness" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an interjection that we use to express surprise, amazement, or admiration. Example: My goodness, that's an impressive painting!.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Haha, oh my goodness!

Huffington Post

"My goodness.

The New York Times

But, my goodness.

The New Yorker

"Oh my goodness gracious.

The New York Times - Sports

Then, "Oh, my goodness".

The New Yorker

Oh, my goodness, no.

The New York Times - Magazine

I mean, my goodness.

The New York Times - Magazine

Oh, my goodness".

The New York Times

"My goodness," I gasped.

The Guardian - Books

FRANKEN: Oh, my goodness.

The New Yorker

K: Oh my goodness.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context and audience. While "my goodness" is generally acceptable, more formal situations might benefit from more precise or sophisticated expressions of surprise or amazement.

Common error

Avoid using "my goodness" excessively in academic or professional contexts. Opt for more articulate expressions of surprise or concern to maintain a polished tone.

Linguistic Context

My goodness functions primarily as an interjection. It's used to express a range of emotions, including surprise, shock, amazement, or mild concern. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage as an interjection, as seen in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"My goodness" is a widely used interjection that expresses surprise, shock, or amazement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, supported by numerous examples from reputable sources like The New York Times, The Guardian, and Huffington Post. While versatile, it's best used judiciously to avoid overuse, especially in formal contexts where more precise language might be preferred. Consider alternatives like "goodness gracious" or "oh my word" for varying degrees of emphasis and formality. Its neutral register makes it suitable for a range of everyday conversations, but its frequency and informality might warrant careful consideration in academic or professional writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

goodness gracious

Adds a stronger emphasis with "gracious" to express surprise.

good heavens

A more old-fashioned expression of surprise or shock.

oh my word

A less intense, more polite expression of surprise.

wow

A simple, direct expression of amazement or surprise.

dear me

An expression of surprise, dismay, or concern, often used by older individuals.

my stars

A somewhat archaic expression of surprise or wonder.

well I never

Indicates surprise or disbelief at something unexpected.

I say

An expression of surprise or emphasis, often used in British English.

holy cow

An informal expression of surprise or astonishment.

gosh

A mild expression of surprise or annoyance, a euphemism for "God".

FAQs

How can I use "my goodness" in a sentence?

"My goodness" is typically used as an interjection to express surprise, shock, or amazement. For example, "My goodness, that's a big cake!"

What can I say instead of "my goodness"?

You can use alternatives like "goodness gracious", "oh my word", or "wow" depending on the context.

Is "my goodness" formal or informal?

"My goodness" is generally considered to be a mild and somewhat informal expression. It's suitable for everyday conversation but might be too casual for highly formal settings.

What's the difference between "my goodness" and "oh my god"?

"My goodness" is a more polite and less religious alternative to "oh my god". While both express surprise, "my goodness" avoids any potential offense related to religious terms.