phenomenal

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "phenomenal" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is striking or extraordinary. For example: "The performance was simply phenomenal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His success was phenomenal.

The Guardian - Sport

"He's just phenomenal.

The New York Times - Sports

The Central Americans displayed a sounder structure, with the wing-backs helping the three centre-backs and the midfield providing protection too, and Mora suggested that he bore no ill-effects from his torment in Elche by producing a phenomenal one-handed save to deny Erin Vandenbergh early on.

The Guardian - Sport

They've been watching the SNP's phenomenal surge since the Scottish referendum defeat last September.

The Guardian - Opinion

This phenomenal success was down to giving supporters something tangible and useful to do.

The Guardian

Berlin was two cities in two countries, a quarter of a century ago, and it still represents a phenomenal change.

The Guardian

Especially since the time of the strike was one of the most phenomenal periods of creativity ever seen in this country.

The Guardian

His work-rate through the first three games has also been phenomenal.

The Guardian - Sport

In the three-minute video, 'From Candles to Computers: Bringing Electricity to China's Jing Jin village', she says: "The coal industry is a major force in eliminating fuel poverty in China but, more importantly, it's a critical driving force for the phenomenal economic growth China has experienced".

The Guardian

I'm bound to say this I guess, but when you look at £600 or whatever, £145.50 a year is phenomenal value".

The Guardian

He's about the 18th person to tell me about the "phenomenal" real set, currently being built up in Liverpool.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "phenomenal" to describe something that goes beyond ordinary expectations and leaves a lasting impression. This word conveys a sense of awe and admiration, making it suitable for highlighting achievements, performances, or natural wonders.

Common error

Avoid using "phenomenal" too frequently, as it can lose its impact. Reserve it for truly exceptional cases to maintain its strong and positive connotation. Consider using synonyms to add variety to your writing.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "phenomenal" primarily functions as a pre-modifier, adding emphasis and expressing a high degree of admiration or impressiveness. As confirmed by Ludwig, it serves to describe something as extraordinarily good or remarkable, significantly exceeding expectations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "phenomenal" is an adjective used to describe something exceptionally good or impressive. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its grammatical function is to add emphasis, conveying enthusiasm and admiration. It's suitable for various contexts, including news, business, and general communication, although one should avoid overuse for maintaining impact. The usage frequency of "phenomenal" is very common, predominantly appearing in News & Media. For alternatives, one can use "extraordinary", "remarkable", or "amazing" to add variety to one's writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extraordinary

Emphasizes a deviation from the ordinary, highlighting the exceptional nature of something.

remarkable

Focuses on the noteworthiness and memorability of something.

amazing

Suggests a sense of wonder and astonishment.

incredible

Implies something so good or unusual that it's hard to believe.

outstanding

Highlights the superiority and prominence of something.

exceptional

Indicates a quality that is beyond the usual and significantly better.

unbelievable

Similar to incredible, but may also express skepticism or disbelief.

prodigious

Highlights the abundance and impressive scale of something.

sensational

Focuses on the excitement and intense interest generated by something.

stunning

Emphasizes the beauty and impressive nature of something.

FAQs

How can I use "phenomenal" in a sentence?

You can use "phenomenal" to describe something that is remarkably good or impressive. For example, "The athlete's performance was "phenomenal"" or "The concert was a "phenomenal" success."

What's a less intense synonym for "phenomenal"?

If "phenomenal" feels too strong, consider using words like "remarkable", "outstanding", or "exceptional". These alternatives still convey admiration but with slightly less intensity.

Is "phenomenal" appropriate for formal writing?

"Phenomenal" is generally suitable for both formal and informal contexts, as shown by Ludwig's AI, depending on the subject. However, in highly academic or scientific writing, it's crucial to ensure that the tone aligns with the objective and analytical nature of the content.

Which is correct, "a phenomenal success" or "an phenomenal success"?

The correct usage is "a phenomenal success". Since "phenomenal" begins with a consonant sound, the indefinite article "a" is appropriate. Using "an" before a consonant sound is grammatically incorrect.