that was good

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence 'that was good' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express approval after someone or something has completed an action or task. For example: "The children put on an excellent performance—that was good!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

Man, that was good.

The New Yorker

"God, that was good".

The New Yorker

"Whoa, that was good," Fogler said.

The New Yorker

Now Peter, that was good.

The Guardian - Film

Mulholland Drive - that was good!

The Guardian - Arts

"Yeah, that was good, Goober," says Andy.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Sure, all that is good.

The New York Times

That's good bandleading.

The New York Times - Arts

That's good copy.

The New York Times

That's good advice.

Independent

That is good news.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that was good" to offer a concise and immediate positive assessment after an event, performance, or action. It's most effective when delivered promptly to reinforce desired behaviors or outcomes.

Common error

Avoid using "that was good" in highly formal or professional settings where more sophisticated language might be expected. Opt for expressions such as "that was excellent", "that was satisfactory", or offer specific praise to demonstrate a more nuanced evaluation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was good" primarily functions as an evaluative statement, expressing approval or satisfaction. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in expressing positive assessment.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

14%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that was good" serves as a straightforward and immediate expression of approval. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While its register is typically neutral to informal, it is widely used across various contexts to offer positive feedback. For more formal settings, alternatives like "that was excellent" or "that was well done" may be more appropriate. This phrase excels in delivering prompt, affirmative reinforcement, but should be used judiciously to match the formality of the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was excellent

Replaces "good" with a stronger adjective, "excellent", indicating a higher degree of approval.

that was well done

Uses a different construction, focusing on the manner in which something was performed.

that was impressive

Highlights the admirable quality of the action or performance.

that was satisfactory

Replaces "good" with "satisfactory", implying that something met the required standards.

i'm pleased with that

Indicates a sense of happiness or contentment with the outcome.

that was quite alright

Emphasizes that a standard of acceptability has been reached.

that was up to par

Emphasizes that something met expectations or a benchmark.

i approve of that

Expresses direct consent or satisfaction with the action.

that hit the spot

Suggests that something perfectly fulfilled a need or desire.

that suited me well

Focuses on personal satisfaction and benefit derived from the action.

FAQs

How can I use "that was good" in a sentence?

You can use "that was good" to express approval after someone has completed a task or action. For example, "The presentation was well-received – "that was good"!"

What are some alternatives to saying "that was good"?

You can use alternatives like "that was excellent", "that was well done", or "I approve of that" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "that was good"?

"That was good" is appropriate in informal settings and to quickly acknowledge a job well done. However, consider using more descriptive language in formal or professional environments.

Is "that was good" grammatically correct?

Yes, "that was good" is grammatically correct and is commonly used to express satisfaction or approval.