outstanding athletes

USAGE SUMMARY

"outstanding athletes" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used when describing a group of particularly exceptional athletes who have achieved notable success in their chosen sport. Example: The Olympic team consisted of outstanding athletes from various countries, all of whom had trained tirelessly for years to reach the pinnacle of their athletic careers.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

On the surface, Sharon LaForge had everything going for her -- superb athletic skills, brains, "presence, that special gift possessed by outstanding athletes," all the good things that send a high school basketball player on to a college scholarship.

The New York Times - Books

They're outstanding athletes.

Independent

"We are not blessed with too many outstanding athletes," he added.

The New York Times - Sports

A Gorman supporter patted a despondent St. Thomas player on the back, and said, "Outstanding athletes.

The New Yorker

He will continue to recruit outstanding athletes who fit Notre Dame.

The New York Times - Sports

She is one of America's outstanding athletes, but her sport, rhythmic gymnastics, is relatively obscure.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

"And Jason is an outstanding athlete.

The New York Times

He's an outstanding athlete – and very humble as well.

The Guardian - Sport

Devers was named the meet's outstanding athlete.

The New York Times - Sports

Let's give recognition to this outstanding athlete.

The New York Times

He's an outstanding athlete, and has a well-rounded set of skills.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use specific examples or achievements to support the claim that the athletes are "outstanding", providing context and credibility to your description.

Common error

Avoid using "outstanding athletes" as a general compliment without providing specific evidence or context. Ensure your usage reflects genuine exceptionalism, not just routine competence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "outstanding athletes" functions primarily as a noun phrase modifier. The adjective "outstanding" modifies the noun "athletes", indicating that they possess exceptional qualities or abilities. Ludwig confirms that this is a correct and commonly used phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "outstanding athletes" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig, to describe athletes of exceptional skill and achievement. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to highlight and commend individuals for their athletic prowess. While versatile, it's best used with specific examples to avoid generic praise. Consider synonyms like ""elite athletes"" or ""exceptional athletes"" for varied expression. Remember, context and specific achievements are key to effectively using this descriptive phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceptional athletes

Replaces "outstanding" with a synonym, focusing on the athletes' deviation from the norm.

elite athletes

Emphasizes the athletes' belonging to a top-tier group.

remarkable athletes

Highlights the athletes' noteworthy and impressive qualities.

world-class athletes

Specifies that the athletes are among the best in the world.

top-tier athletes

Focuses on the athletes' ranking within their sport.

highly skilled athletes

Emphasizes the athletes' proficiency and expertise.

accomplished athletes

Highlights the athletes' achievements and successes.

gifted athletes

Focuses on the athletes' natural talent and aptitude.

prodigious athletes

Emphasizes the athletes' exceptional talent at a young age or early stage of their career.

superb athletes

Uses a more emphatic synonym for 'outstanding' to describe the athletes.

FAQs

How can I use "outstanding athletes" in a sentence?

You can use "outstanding athletes" to describe individuals who have achieved a high level of success in their sport. For example, "The team is composed of "outstanding athletes" who have dedicated their lives to training."

What are some synonyms for "outstanding athletes"?

Some synonyms for "outstanding athletes" include "elite athletes", "exceptional athletes", and "world-class athletes".

Is it appropriate to use "outstanding athletes" in formal writing?

Yes, "outstanding athletes" is appropriate for formal writing when you need to describe athletes who have demonstrated exceptional skills and accomplishments. It is a clear and professional way to convey their high level of performance.

What qualities define someone as one of the "outstanding athletes"?

Qualities that define someone as one of the "outstanding athletes" may include exceptional skill, dedication, consistent high performance, significant achievements, and recognition within their sport.