on excellent terms

USAGE SUMMARY

"on excellent terms" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that two people are on friendly terms or that something is in good condition. For example: "Bob and I have been on excellent terms since we worked together at the store."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Many gifted writers manage quite nimbly to stay on excellent terms with both, and Theroux is one of the nimblest of all.

The New York Times - Books

Thereafter he remained on excellent terms with Henry IV.

Britannica

Worse, India is on excellent terms with Mr Karzai.

The Economist

He remained on excellent terms with Lord Lew, as with everyone else.

The Guardian

I remain on excellent terms with friends, both physicians and writers.

The Guardian - Books

A Labour government is in power - and on excellent terms with Washington.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

Which raises a question that the common explanation for Chapter 11 filings doesn't answer: If Delphi is so broke, with unsustainable wage costs and skyrocketing pension obligations, why are two of the nation's major banks offering to lend it money on excellent credit terms?

The Washington Post

Stepping in when he did earned Cheng friends and excellent terms on the project.

Forbes

Nevertheless, Seward remained on excellent personal terms with southerners such as Mississippi's Jefferson Davis and gave dinner parties, where those from both sides of the sectional divide mixed and mingled, that were a Washington legend.

Wikipedia

Authors' response: Attrition is an excellent term.

Biology Direct

But, given he is on such excellent personal terms with both Donald Trump ("His election is the best thing that could have happened to the world") and Vladimir Putin ("He gets the job done – he should be running Europe"), it is hard to imagine him passing up the chance of joining them to form a troika bent on world domination.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on excellent terms" to highlight positive relationship, for example: "Even after a corporate restructuring, the CEO was said to be on excellent terms with the board."

Common error

Avoid using "on excellent terms" when a more neutral phrase like "on good terms" would suffice. "Excellent" implies a particularly strong and positive relationship, so reserve it for situations where this level of amity is genuinely present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on excellent terms" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, typically indicating the state or quality of a relationship between two or more parties. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples across varied sources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on excellent terms" is a commonly used prepositional phrase indicating a very positive and cooperative relationship. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and suitable for formal to neutral contexts, particularly in news, encyclopedias and formal business settings. When choosing a substitute, consider nuances of alternatives such as "on friendly terms" or "in a good relationship", which may convey slightly different levels of amity. Avoid overusing "excellent" when a more subtle term like "good" suffices. Remember that "excellent" implies a particularly strong and positive connection, as the abundant examples in Ludwig indicate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on friendly terms

Uses a more general term for friendship, removing the emphasis on 'excellent'.

maintaining good relations

Emphasizes the act of keeping the relationship positive.

getting along very well

Simplifies the expression to a more casual tone.

having a great rapport

Highlights the positive connection and mutual understanding.

enjoying a cordial relationship

Focuses on the warmth and politeness of the interaction.

in a good relationship

Focuses on the general state of the relationship, omitting the degree of excellence.

having a favorable connection

Focuses on the positive nature of the link.

in amicable conditions

Focuses on the pleasantness of the situation.

in a positive alliance

Highlights the collaborative aspect of the relationship, implying mutual benefit.

in harmonious accord

Highlights the agreement and lack of conflict.

FAQs

How can I use "on excellent terms" in a sentence?

The phrase "on excellent terms" is used to describe a very good relationship between people or entities. For example: "Despite the business deal falling through, both companies remain "on excellent terms"".

What's a more casual alternative to "on excellent terms"?

For less formal situations, you could say someone is "on friendly terms" with another person. This conveys a positive relationship without emphasizing its exceptional quality.

Is it appropriate to use "on excellent terms" in a formal document?

Yes, "on excellent terms" is suitable for formal documents, especially when describing business or diplomatic relationships. It suggests a high level of cooperation and mutual respect. However, ensure it accurately reflects the relationship's strength.

What is the difference between "on good terms" and "on excellent terms"?

"On good terms" implies a generally positive relationship without necessarily indicating a deep connection. "On excellent terms" suggests a relationship characterized by strong trust, respect, and cooperation, going beyond mere politeness.