that was impressive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that was impressive" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express admiration or approval of someone's performance, achievement, or action. Example: "After watching her presentation, I turned to my colleague and said, 'That was impressive!'"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was the group that was impressive".

The New York Times

But it was not only the menu that was impressive.

The New York Times

But it was the group that was impressive.

The New York Times

He was challenging me in a way that was impressive to me.

The New York Times - Arts

Ms. Power, Mr. Breuer said, brought a "boldness and level of commitment that was impressive".

The New York Times

There was an ethical component in his dedication that was impressive without being stuffy or stiff.

The New Yorker

"As far as 60 minutes, that was impressive," said right wing Turner Stevenson, who had a goal and an assist.

The New York Times - Sports

– that was impressive even for a PlayStation 2 sports title, the series went out, well, swinging the next year.

The Guardian - Sport

The trial was conducted in an intelligent and mature way that was impressive by any world standards," said Carlin.

The Guardian

But Pennsylvania eventually voted for Mr Obama by 11 points.In the same way Mr Obama succeeded in putting together an electoral coalition that was impressive without being revolutionary.

The Economist

Urgent, involving and energetic, with a jumpy hand-held camera, the film has a new-waveish look that was impressive in France 40 years ago.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that was impressive" to directly express admiration for a specific action, performance, or quality you've just witnessed. It's most effective immediately following the event.

Common error

While acceptable, "that was impressive" might sound too informal in academic or professional contexts. Consider using more sophisticated synonyms like "that was remarkable" or "that was noteworthy" in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was impressive" functions as a declarative statement expressing admiration or approval. It's a subjective assessment of something observed or experienced, as shown in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

15%

Arts

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that was impressive" is a common and grammatically correct way to express admiration or approval. As Ludwig AI shows, its use spans across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Sports, and Arts. While generally neutral in register, it's important to consider using more formal alternatives like "that was remarkable" or "that was noteworthy" in academic or professional settings. It is always best to consider the audience and tone of writing before using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was remarkable

Replaces "impressive" with a synonym indicating something noteworthy or outstanding.

that was outstanding

Uses a stronger adjective to highlight exceptional quality or performance.

that was exceptional

Emphasizes the rarity and superiority of the subject.

that was extraordinary

Indicates something beyond the ordinary or expected.

that was admirable

Focuses on the praiseworthy or commendable nature of the subject.

that was noteworthy

Highlights the significance and deservingness of attention.

that was commendable

Emphasizes the deservingness of praise or recognition.

that was praiseworthy

Synonymous with commendable, reinforcing the positive evaluation.

that was something else

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey a sense of wonder or amazement.

that left a mark

Implies the impressive thing had a lasting effect on the speaker.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "that was impressive"?

Alternatives include "that was remarkable", "that was outstanding", or "that was exceptional", depending on the degree of admiration you wish to convey.

Is it okay to use "that was impressive" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "that was impressive" is generally more suited for informal contexts. For formal writing, consider using more elevated language such as "that was noteworthy" or "that was commendable".

What's the difference between "that was impressive" and "that is impressive"?

"That was impressive" refers to something that happened in the past, while "that is impressive" refers to something that is currently happening or is a general truth. For example, "His performance yesterday - that was impressive" versus "His dedication to the team - that is impressive".

In what situations can I use "that was impressive"?

You can use "that was impressive" to express your admiration or approval of a particular action, event, skill, or quality you have just observed. It's suitable for situations ranging from casual conversations to professional feedback.