swell time

USAGE SUMMARY

"swell time" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is an informal way of expressing that something was pleasant or enjoyable. For example, "It was a swell time playing mini-golf with my family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

A swell time was had by all.

The New York Times

Both had a swell time.

The New York Times

Sheila Tousey has a swell time embodying Mr. Shepard's idea of nurturing, annihilating womanhood.

The New York Times

Jimmy, Australia: After the nice ceremony, we all went out for dinner and had a swell time.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Thirteen hours in the back from San Francisco to Hong Kong is not my idea of a swell time".

The New York Times

Along with the rest of the cast, she seems to be having a swell time, wildly slamming doors and shedding clothes.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

"Yes, that, and that she's had some swell times".

The New York Times - Arts

During the Action Camp, when the camp's population swells, time is mostly filled with work: topping up drinking water, constructing a bunkhouse, cooking and cleaning, caring for the children, working in the garden.

Vice

His power is expected to swell over time, as Class B shareholders sell their stock.

The New York Times

THE CROWD In their 30s and up, on dates or business outings, having a swell old time.

The New York Times

He seems to be having a swell old time cranking everything up to 11 without it boiling over into parody.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "swell time" to inject a touch of vintage charm into your writing, particularly when describing experiences that are lighthearted and enjoyable. It adds a nostalgic feel, reminiscent of mid-20th century expressions.

Common error

Avoid using "swell time" in professional or academic writing where a more formal expression of enjoyment is appropriate. Alternatives like "enjoyable experience" or "pleasant occasion" are better suited for those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "swell time" functions as a noun phrase where "swell" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "time". It describes the quality of the time experienced, indicating that it was enjoyable or excellent. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "swell time" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that indicates a pleasant or enjoyable experience. Ludwig AI highlights its appropriateness for conveying positive sentiments. While its register is generally informal, it sees use across diverse contexts, prominently in News & Media, as well as scientific sources. If a more formal tone is needed, alternatives such as "enjoyable occasion" or "pleasant experience" are recommended. It's a fine expression to inject some vintage charm into your writing, but use it sparingly in professional or academic contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

marvelous time

Substitutes "swell" with "marvelous", maintaining the positive connotation while sounding slightly more sophisticated.

great fun

Simplifies the phrase to emphasize the enjoyment and amusement derived from an activity.

fantastic experience

Replaces "swell" with "fantastic" and "time" with "experience", increasing the emphasis on how great the experience was.

wonderful experience

Replaces the informal "time" with the more formal "experience", suggesting a deeper or more significant positive event.

terrific moment

Uses "terrific" instead of "swell" and "moment" for "time", highlighting a brief but very positive experience.

pleasant moment

Substitutes "swell" with "pleasant" and "time" with "moment", indicating a brief period of enjoyment.

pleasurable experience

Replaces "swell" with "pleasurable" and "time" with "experience", making it sound more reflective and considered.

enjoyable occasion

Uses "enjoyable" instead of "swell" and "occasion" for "time", implying a special event that was pleasing.

splendid occasion

Replaces "swell" with "splendid" and "time" with "occasion", suggesting a formal or special event that was highly enjoyable.

delightful period

Employs "delightful" for "swell" and "period" for "time", suggesting a longer span filled with happiness.

FAQs

How can I use "swell time" in a sentence?

You can use "swell time" to describe a positive experience or enjoyable event, as in "We had a "swell time" at the beach" or "The party was a "swell time" for everyone".

What can I say instead of "swell time"?

You can use alternatives like "great time", "wonderful time", or "enjoyable experience" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "swell time" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "swell time" is generally considered informal. For formal writing, it's better to use alternatives such as "pleasant experience" or "enjoyable occasion".

What does it mean to have a "swell time"?

To have a ""swell time"" means to have a very good, enjoyable, or pleasant experience. It's an expression used to convey satisfaction and happiness with an event or activity.