perfectly splendid

USAGE SUMMARY

"perfectly splendid" can be used in written English.
It is an informal phrase used to express approval or admiration. For example, you might say "The view from the top was perfectly splendid."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

News & Media

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

When all is lost, however, like many an Englishman before him, he's perfectly splendid.

The Guardian

A young Englishman in "The Rooftop Dwellers" rather cartoonishly describes the Indian protagonist Moyna's literary magazine as "perfectly splendid, really".

The New York Times - Books

This looked like a perfectly splendid arrangement, until one of Mr Obama's advisers was quoted as describing it as "leading from behind".Such a phrase should never have been uttered in the hearing of a journalist.

The Economist

At the beach, as the Romanov-like cousins, who turn out to be the Romanovs, cavort in their white dresses, Johnnie's long-suffering governess, Lalla (Gina McKee, who's good), asks him, "Don't they look perfectly splendid?" The first evidence that Johnnie's role here is to sabotage the imperative to gape at the "Masterpiece Theater" pageantry comes in his refusal to praise the spectacle.

The New York Times - Arts

Whether sitting in the front row to hear the Bishop of New Hampshire, Gene Robinson, or reading Dylan Thomas to Mariella Frostrup, or walking out of Rory McGrath's session during a charmless joke at the expense of Fatima Whitbread, he's been perfectly splendid.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Absolutely splendid.

The New York Times

It was utterly splendid.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Marvellous, marvellous, absolutely splendid.

The Guardian

9.19pm BST 17 min: With Marcelo galloping through the left side of the Germany penalty area, Philipp Lahm dispossesses him with a perfectly timed, splendid challenge, hooking the ball out for a corner.

The Guardian - Sport

Blair is clearly still worried about what people think of those wars, to the extent that he essayed the splendid gambit of suggesting that it is still too soon to judge that they weren't, after all, perfectly brilliant ideas.

The Guardian - Books

" Then wraps it all up perfectly, "every moment is splendid!" Images courtesy of Eventi Letterari, used with permission.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "perfectly splendid" in situations where you want to express a sense of refined approval or delight, particularly in contexts that allow for slightly old-fashioned or British-influenced language.

Common error

Avoid using "perfectly splendid" too frequently in contemporary American English conversations, as it can sound affected or overly formal. Reserve it for situations where a touch of formality or historical charm is desired.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "perfectly splendid" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase, used to modify nouns or pronouns and express approval, admiration, or delight. Ludwig AI confirms this through example sentences.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "perfectly splendid" is an adjectival phrase used to express strong approval or delight. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct but relatively rare in contemporary usage, with examples primarily found in news and media sources. While slightly formal and British-influenced, it effectively conveys a sense of refined appreciation. For alternative expressions, consider "perfectly marvelous" or "absolutely wonderful" for similar effect. Avoid overuse in modern American contexts to prevent sounding affected.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

perfectly marvelous

Replaces "splendid" with "marvelous", maintaining a sense of delight and excellence.

absolutely wonderful

Emphasizes the positive nature of something, similar to "perfectly splendid" but with a slightly warmer tone.

utterly magnificent

Focuses on grandeur and impressiveness, sharing the positive connotation but elevating the scale.

completely delightful

Highlights the pleasant and enjoyable aspect, akin to "perfectly splendid" but centering on enjoyment.

exceptionally outstanding

Stresses the superior quality and distinction, similar in conveying high regard.

remarkably impressive

Emphasizes the impact and admiration something creates, sharing the positive assessment.

thoroughly excellent

Focuses on the high quality and faultlessness, akin to "perfectly splendid" but highlighting flawlessness.

perfectly beautiful

Highlights the aesthetic qualities of something, which can overlap with the admiration conveyed by the original phrase.

extremely impressive

Replaces "splendid" with impressive, while focusing on the remarkable and noteworthy quality.

uncommonly superb

Emphasizes the exceptional and superior nature, expressing a high level of approval.

FAQs

How can I use "perfectly splendid" in a sentence?

You can use "perfectly splendid" to express approval or admiration, as in "The garden party was "perfectly splendid"" or "The performance was "perfectly splendid", darling!".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "perfectly splendid"?

Instead of "perfectly splendid", you could say "perfectly marvelous", "absolutely wonderful", or "utterly magnificent" depending on the context.

Is "perfectly splendid" formal or informal?

"Perfectly splendid" leans towards the informal side, often used to express delight or approval in a slightly old-fashioned or whimsical way. It is appropriate in relaxed settings where a touch of British-influenced language is welcome.

What is the difference between "perfectly splendid" and "perfectly fine"?

"Perfectly splendid" conveys enthusiastic approval and delight, whereas "perfectly fine" indicates something is satisfactory but not exceptional. "Perfectly splendid" is more expressive and positive.