terrific game

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "terrific game" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is a common phrase used to describe a very good or enjoyable game, typically a sports game. Example: "The baseball fans couldn't believe their luck as they witnessed a terrific game between their team and the rivals. The tension and excitement in the stadium were palpable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

"They played a terrific game.

The New York Times - Sports

This should be a terrific game.

The Guardian - Sport

"They played a terrific game from start to finish tonight".

The New York Times - Sports

The Mets played a terrific game last night.

The New York Times - Sports

Although they had varying degrees of eloquence, each of them talked a terrific game.

The New York Times

From the file of "unexpected," the third-string nose tackle Steve McLendon had a terrific game.

The New York Times

Alex Ovechkin, who had a terrific game, passed to Mike Ribeiro along the right boards.

The New York Times - Sports

Sprewell's miss closed a terrific game in which neither team led by double digits.

The New York Times - Sports

"We played a terrific game on the defensive end," Boston Coach Rick Pitino said.

The New York Times - Sports

Anaheim Manager Mike Scioscia said of Mays: "He pitched a terrific game.

The New York Times - Sports

"You put a terrific game in an exclusive window, and fans want it," Wildhack said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "terrific game" to express genuine enthusiasm about a game's quality or excitement. Ensure the context supports a positive assessment.

Common error

While "terrific game" is widely understood, reserve it for informal or conversational settings. Opt for more formal alternatives like "exceptional performance" or "outstanding contest" in professional writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "terrific game" functions as an adjective-noun combination, where "terrific" modifies the noun "game". It is used to express approval or admiration for the game, similar to the examples Ludwig provides.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "terrific game" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase to describe a highly enjoyable or well-played game. Ludwig's AI confirms its validity and common usage. While predominantly found in news and media contexts, it is generally considered neutral in register, though perhaps less fitting for highly formal writing. For such settings, alternatives like "excellent match" or "outstanding competition" may be more appropriate. Remember to use "terrific game" when you want to convey genuine enthusiasm and positive assessment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

first-rate game

Uses "first-rate" as an alternative adjective to describe the quality of the game.

excellent match

Replaces "game" with "match", implying a competitive event of high quality.

outstanding contest

Substitutes "terrific" with "outstanding" and "game" with "contest", highlighting the superior nature of the competition.

splendid match

Uses "splendid" to convey the high quality of the match.

amazing performance

Focuses on the quality of the performance within the game, rather than the game itself.

wonderful competition

Substitutes "terrific" with "wonderful" while keeping the core meaning.

remarkable play

Emphasizes the notable actions and skill displayed during the game.

fantastic sporting contest

Combines synonyms for both "terrific" and "game" for a broader alternative.

exceptional competition

Highlights the high standard of competition present in the game.

superb sporting event

Replaces "game" with a more general term, "sporting event", while maintaining the positive connotation.

FAQs

How can I describe a very good game?

Instead of "terrific game", you could use phrases like "excellent match", "outstanding contest", or "amazing performance" depending on the specific aspect you want to highlight.

Is "terrific game" suitable for formal writing?

While grammatically correct and widely understood, "terrific game" is generally more appropriate for informal or conversational contexts. For formal writing, consider alternatives like "exceptional competition" or "superb sporting event".

What does "terrific" mean in the context of a game?

In this context, "terrific" means very good, excellent, or highly enjoyable. It indicates that the game was of high quality and provided a positive experience for those involved or watching.

What are some synonyms for "terrific" that I can use to describe a game?

You can use adjectives such as "excellent", "outstanding", "amazing", "remarkable", or "exceptional" to describe the game.