sense of excellence

USAGE SUMMARY

"sense of excellence" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to refer to someone's commitment to doing their best, or a belief that they can achieve great things. For example, "The student had a strong sense of excellence, and strived to excel in all of his classes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Instead our sense of excellence has narrowed.

The Guardian

If a judge's life is elite in the sense of excellence, that's fine.

The Washington Post

"There is a general sense of excellence about these places that starts with academics and extends throughout".

The New York Times

Nevertheless the competition's sense of excellence has endured although it is at present experiencing a certain degree of levelling-down.

The Guardian - Sport

To return to the more standard sense of excellence, what follows are my 12 favorites among the new restaurants I reviewed this year.

The New York Times - Food

"We're going to have to parent better, and turn off the television set, and put the video games away, and instill a sense of excellence in our children," Mr. Obama said then.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

There was the sense of intellectual excellence, maintaining high standards, and creating social change.

University of California, Berkeley

But the phenomenon is felt much more acutely in France because (in notable contrast with Britain) the nation's self-image is existentially bound up with its sense of cultural excellence, and with the assumption that their ideas have universal appeal: "France," claimed the historian Ernest Lavisse without any irony, "is charged with representing the cause of humanity".

The Guardian - Books

Translators most commonly use "virtue" as a translation but hurry to remind us that it is 'virtue' in the ancient Greek sense of an excellence.

SEP

Instead, a sense of duty, excellence, cooperation and social elitism has taken its course.

Huffington Post

These technical arts form a continuum with philosophy because their transformations were understood as self-cultivation in the coterminous senses of moral excellence, health, and longevity (rather than medical pathology), and physiological transformation through the manipulation of qi (V. Lo 2001).

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to convey a dedication to superior quality, integrate the phrase "sense of excellence" into your writing to emphasize the importance of high standards. For instance, in a company's mission statement, include that you instill a "sense of excellence" in your employees so as to reinforce dedication to high-quality output.

Common error

Avoid using "sense of excellence" to justify unattainable perfection. Instead, focus on continuous improvement and striving for the best possible outcome within realistic constraints. It emphasizes a commitment to high standards, not an impossible ideal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sense of excellence" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the object of a verb or following a preposition. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it expresses an awareness or appreciation for high standards and quality, motivating actions and decisions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

15%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sense of excellence" is a grammatically correct and usable noun phrase that signifies an awareness or appreciation for high standards. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is often used to express a commitment to achieving the best possible results. Although uncommon, its presence in news, academic, and scientific contexts lends it a neutral to professional tone. When using this phrase, remember to focus on continuous improvement rather than unattainable perfection, and consider alternatives like "commitment to quality" or "drive for perfection" to nuance your writing. Overall, "sense of excellence" is a valuable phrase for conveying dedication and aspiration in various settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

passion for excellence

Emphasizes the strong enthusiasm and desire for high quality.

commitment to quality

Focuses on the dedication to maintaining a high standard.

dedication to superior quality

Underscores the commitment to providing top-tier quality.

drive for perfection

Emphasizes the ambition to achieve flawlessness.

quest for perfection

Focuses on the ongoing journey and ambition to reach a state of flawlessness.

aspiration for greatness

Highlights the ambition to achieve a remarkable level of accomplishment.

zeal for high achievement

Highlights enthusiasm and passion towards accomplishing a high level of success.

pursuit of high standards

Highlights the active effort to maintain elevated benchmarks.

striving for distinction

Focuses on the desire to stand out through superior performance.

hunger for distinction

Emphasizes a strong desire to be recognized through outstanding qualities or achievements.

FAQs

How can I use "sense of excellence" in a sentence?

You can use "sense of excellence" to describe an individual's or organization's commitment to high standards. For instance, "The company fosters a strong "sense of excellence" in all its employees."

What phrases are similar to "sense of excellence"?

Similar phrases include "commitment to quality", "drive for perfection", or "pursuit of high standards" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "sense of excellence" formal or informal?

"Sense of excellence" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it is often found in professional or academic settings.

How does "sense of excellence" differ from "pursuit of excellence"?

"Sense of excellence" refers to an inherent awareness or appreciation for high standards, while "pursuit of excellence" describes the active effort to achieve those standards.