patently good

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "patently good" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is clearly or obviously good without any doubt. Example: "The proposal was patently good, and everyone in the room agreed it should be implemented immediately."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But the key test is whether the House and Senate leadership will muster the courage to let such patently good legislation reach the floor.

The New York Times

It was strong stuff but, reluctant to get such a patently "good guy" into trouble, the writer omitted the relevant passages from the copy.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In the process he's made himself both celebrated and notorious: he is patently not good for the Jews.

The New York Times - Books

While there is a degree of truth in this in certain cases, other players are having to be deployed out of position – Vurnon Anita at left-back, for instance – while some clearly try hard but are patently not good enough.

The Guardian - Sport

Hodgson must strike a delicate balance but he must also do it successfully because England's defence is patently not good enough at the highest level.

BBC

Patently Apple has a good summary of the patents, which are mostly technical (having to do with coatings, implementation of touch layers, and so on), so I won't go into detail here.

TechCrunch

In have come Memphis Depay, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Daley Blind, Morgan Schneiderlin, Luke Shaw, Marcos Rojo, Darmian, Anthony Martial, Ander Herrera, plus the loaned Radamel Falcao, who was patently not fit or good enough and is now at Chelsea.

The Guardian - Sport

The question therefore is: how long can George Osborne last as chancellor to a prime minister whose hero is Macmillan when he, the present chancellor, is patently not delivering the goods?

The Guardian - Business

I'm not saying that creation is always Good – it's patently not.

The Guardian - Books

Lucky him that he found a therapist who, mostly with the acutely focussed and patently empathetic listening that characterizes a good analyst, could enable his return to wholeness.

The New Yorker

When that foray fizzled (not exactly low-profile), she began assiduously copycatting her classmates instead: one per day, in rotation, before settling permanently on a best friend, Stephen Curtis, chosen not for his brilliance -- which was patently lacking -- but for his good-hearted efforts and general niceness.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "patently good" when you want to emphasize that something is not just good, but clearly and undeniably so. It adds a layer of certainty and obviousness to your assessment.

Common error

Avoid using "patently good" in casual or informal conversations. The word "patently" can sound overly formal or even pompous in everyday speech. Stick to simpler alternatives like "obviously good" or "clearly good" in such situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "patently good" functions as an adjectival modifier, describing a noun with emphasis on the obviousness of its positive quality. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "patently good" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe something that is clearly and obviously good. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, its formality makes it more suitable for professional or written contexts rather than casual conversation. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media sources, and less so in encyclopedias or wikis. For less formal settings, consider alternatives such as "clearly good" or "obviously good".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

patently wonderful

Shares the same structure, replacing 'good' with 'wonderful'.

obviously beneficial

Emphasizes the advantage or benefit that is easily seen.

clearly advantageous

Highlights the advantage in a straightforward manner.

plainly positive

Indicates a simple and evident positive quality.

evidently favorable

Stresses the positive aspect that is easily noticed.

unquestionably excellent

Emphasizes an undeniable high quality.

indisputably superior

Highlights an advantage that cannot be challenged or denied.

unmistakably wonderful

Draws attention to a particularly good or delightful aspect.

manifestly superior

Indicates a high quality that is clear and obvious.

unarguably superb

Focuses on a quality that is undoubtedly excellent.

FAQs

How can I use "patently good" in a sentence?

Use "patently good" to describe something that is not just good, but obviously and undeniably so. For example, "The proposal was "patently good" and received unanimous approval."

What are some alternatives to "patently good"?

Alternatives include "clearly good", "obviously good", or "evidently good". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "patently good" too formal for everyday conversation?

Yes, "patently good" is generally considered more formal and is better suited for written communication or professional settings. In everyday conversation, simpler alternatives like "clearly good" or "obviously good" are often more appropriate.

Which is correct, "patently good" or "patent good"?

"Patently good" is the correct phrase. "Patent good" doesn't make sense as "patent" refers to a legal protection for inventions, while "patently" means obviously or clearly.