that was perfect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that was perfect" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express satisfaction or approval regarding something that has just occurred or been completed. Example: "After tasting the dish, I told the chef, 'That was perfect!'"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It had a feelgood element that was perfect for radio.

The Guardian

As a symbol of the age, that was perfect.

The New York Times

But my wife made a statement the other day that was perfect.

The New York Times - Sports

I don't think I ever put myself out there to be somebody that was perfect.

The Washington Post

The food was freshly cooked in a homey style that was perfect for the country locale.

The New York Times

Fran had a breakfast nook with built-in benches that was perfect for games.

The New York Times - Travel

Here was this 1800s Greek Revival in a setting that was perfect.

The New York Times

It added a full, licorice note that was perfect with the green flavor of the parsley.

The New York Times

"We saw a trend that was perfect to capitalize on, especially given Michael Jordan's inspiration value".

The New York Times

For Groupon, it was that the company had found a revolutionary marketing tool that was perfect for small businesses.

The New York Times

Dubbing cancer The Bullshit™, she displayed a no-nonsense, witty, candid style that was perfect for blogging.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you want to emphasize the degree of perfection, you can add an adverb such as "absolutely", "utterly", or "simply" before "perfect" for a stronger impact.

Common error

While versatile, "that was perfect" can sound too casual in highly formal or professional settings. Opt for alternatives like "that was excellent" or "that was impeccable" to maintain a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was perfect" functions as an evaluative expression, typically used to convey approval, satisfaction, or agreement regarding a completed action, event, or state. Ludwig AI confirms its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Academia

14%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that was perfect" is a versatile phrase used to express satisfaction, approval, or agreement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While generally neutral in register, it may be too informal for highly professional settings. Consider alternatives like "that was excellent" or "that was ideal" for a more formal tone. Understanding these nuances allows for effective and appropriate use of "that was perfect" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was spot on

Replaces "that" with "it" and uses the idiom "spot on" for emphasis on accuracy or suitability.

it was just right

Substitutes "perfect" with "just right" to indicate a good fit or appropriateness.

it couldn't be better

Emphasizes the impossibility of improvement, implying a high level of satisfaction.

it was ideal

Replaces "perfect" with "ideal" to suggest the situation or outcome was supremely suitable.

it was impeccable

Suggests flawless execution or condition, elevating the level of perfection.

it hit the mark

Uses a metaphor to convey that something achieved its intended goal perfectly.

it was tailor-made

Implies that something was specifically designed to meet requirements, resulting in perfection.

it was sublime

Replaces "perfect" with "sublime" for a more elevated and aesthetic sense of perfection.

it worked like a charm

Indicates a successful outcome with ease and effectiveness, implying perfection in function.

it could not have been any better

Expresses the impossibility of improvement with an emphatic tone.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "that was perfect" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "that was excellent", "that was impeccable", or "that was ideal", depending on the context.

How to use "that was perfect" in a sentence?

You can use "that was perfect" to express satisfaction with something that has happened or been completed. For example, "The presentation was engaging and informative; that was perfect."

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

"That was perfect" is appropriate in many situations where you want to express satisfaction, approval, or completion. However, consider the formality of the setting and choose a more formal alternative like that was excellent or that was ideal if necessary.

Is "that was perfect" too informal for business communication?

In some business contexts, "that was perfect" may be considered too informal. Opt for stronger, more formal phrases such as "that was satisfactory", "that was effective", or "that was successful", depending on what aspect you want to emphasize.