that was neat

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that was neat" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express appreciation or admiration for something that was impressive, interesting, or well done. Example: "After watching the magic show, I turned to my friend and said, 'That was neat!'"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

But we hear all the time, 'Hey, that was neat.

The New York Times

"Seeing how their players just were pumped to have little moments like that that would last their whole lives — that was nice, that was neat," Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman said.

The New York Times - Sports

"Yeah, that was neat, I guess".

TechCrunch

Could my hair be worn in a way that was neat and professional?

HuffPost

One thing that was neat about this record is that I got to work with his notebooks, and he drew sketches on almost all his lyrics.

Huffington Post

"And yet, once [the classical organ elite] gets to a theatre organ concert, I'll ask them, 'Did you enjoy it?' 'Yeah, yeah, that was neat.' And what they admire is the fact that there is no music written for theatre organ, and when they understand that...[theatre organists] do their own arrangements...I think [church organists] began to realize that [theatre organ] is not an easy thing to do".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

"Everyone's like, 'Oh that's neat,' " Weaver said.

The Washington Post

"With terrifying implications, like all things that are neat".

The New York Times

But sometimes I come across one that's neat and functional, and that gets my attention.

TechCrunch

All of a sudden, it was like, "Oh that's neat.

Huffington Post

It is a death that is neat, tidy and frighteningly quick.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that was neat" to express mild appreciation or approval, especially in informal settings. It's suitable when something is pleasantly surprising or well-executed but doesn't necessarily evoke strong emotion.

Common error

Avoid using "that was neat" in professional or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "that was impressive" or "that was remarkable" to maintain a formal tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was neat" functions as an evaluative expression, typically used to convey a mild sense of appreciation or approval. Ludwig examples show it's used when something is pleasantly surprising but doesn't necessarily evoke strong emotion. This phrase is a subjective assessment of something experienced.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

18%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"That was neat" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express mild appreciation or approval. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts, although it's more common in informal settings like conversations. While it's a valid expression, consider using alternatives such as "that was impressive" or "that was remarkable" in more formal contexts. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media, followed by Academia and Wiki sources. Be mindful of the register and choose more sophisticated language for professional or academic writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was cool

Emphasizes a sense of trendiness or modern appeal.

that was great

A general expression of positive feeling or satisfaction.

that was interesting

Focuses on the stimulating or thought-provoking aspect.

that was impressive

Highlights the admirable or remarkable quality.

that was excellent

Suggests a high degree of quality or skill.

that was remarkable

Implies something noteworthy and unusual.

that was fantastic

Expresses strong enthusiasm and delight.

that was wonderful

Conveys a sense of pleasure and enjoyment.

that was quite something

Underlines the unusual or significant nature of the experience.

that was something else

Emphasizes the uniqueness or unexpectedness of the event.

FAQs

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

You can use "that was neat" to express mild approval or appreciation. For example, "I thought "that was neat" how the magician made the rabbit disappear."

What's a more formal alternative to "that was neat"?

Alternatives include "that was impressive", "that was remarkable", or "that was excellent". These phrases convey a higher degree of formality and are suitable for professional contexts.

Is "that was neat" suitable for academic writing?

Generally, no. While grammatically correct, "that was neat" is considered informal. Use more professional phrases like "that was innovative" or "that was insightful" in academic contexts.

What's the difference between "that was neat" and "that was cool"?

Both express approval, but "that was cool" often implies trendiness or a modern appeal, while "that was neat" suggests something is pleasantly surprising or well-done in a simple, unassuming way. Consider "that was neat" as a less emphatic alternative.