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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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that really great

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that really great" is not correct in written English.
It should be "that's really great" or "that is really great." You can use it to express enthusiasm or approval about something that has been mentioned or observed. Example: "I just heard about your promotion, and that's really great news!"

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

I'm talking about a benevolent spirit that really great leaders have and lesser ones do not.

News & Media

Huffington Post

His Boyle reminds us that really great actors seem not to act at all... they just are.

News & Media

Huffington Post

We're not sure when he plans to tie the knot, but he won't be the first post 50 to settle down and prove that really great things can happen -- even late in the game.

News & Media

Huffington Post

Which leads on to another thing I've noticed that really great carers do: they make things seem normal.

It's when you have that really great librarian on the ground, with a good staff, with an excellent custodian, and they take care of things and they keep the connection and they maintain a vitality".

News & Media

The New Yorker

"How are you meant to play this woman who is supposed to be a genius, very sexy - even though she looks like Sideshow Bob - then on top of that, really great in battle?" She sighs.

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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

By contrast, V. S. Pritchett said that the really great artists "never stop working.

News & Media

The New Yorker

"It makes people feel less alone about their own feelings to know that someone really great felt like that once".

News & Media

The New York Times

"Our children had questions that were really great".

News & Media

The New York Times

"He felt really safe talking to me about it, so that felt really great".

News & Media

The New York Times

It's an old energy that's really great to feel".

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When speaking informally, while "that really great" might be understood, it's better to use the grammatically correct forms for clarity.

Common error

Don't omit the verb "is" when using this phrase. Saying "that really great" is a common mistake, especially in casual speech, but it should be avoided in formal writing.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that really great" functions as a descriptive expression intended to convey approval or enthusiasm. Ludwig identifies this phrase as grammatically incorrect, yet its presence in various sources indicates its use, albeit improperly, to express a positive sentiment.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "that really great" is used, it is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI identifies the proper forms as "that's really great" or "that is really great". Although it appears across various contexts, primarily News & Media, Wiki, and Science, it is best to use the grammatically correct forms, especially in formal writing. Alternatives such as "that's absolutely wonderful" or "that is truly excellent" can add nuance. Remember to include the verb "is" to avoid grammatical errors.

FAQs

What's the correct way to say "that really great"?

The grammatically correct alternatives are "that's really great" (contraction) or "that is really great". The uncontracted form is generally preferred in formal writing.

Is "that really great" grammatically correct?

No, "that really great" is not grammatically correct. The correct forms include the verb "is": "that's really great" or "that is really great".

What can I say instead of "that really great"?

You can use phrases like "that's absolutely wonderful", "that is truly excellent", or "that's incredibly awesome" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

When should I use "that's really great" instead of "that really great"?

Always use "that's really great" or "that is really great" in writing and formal speech to ensure grammatical accuracy. "That really great" is considered incorrect and should be avoided.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: