that was stunning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that was stunning" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express admiration or amazement about something that has just been experienced or observed. Example: "The performance was breathtaking; that was stunning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

It was the control that was stunning, the bewilderment felt by Madrid.

The Guardian - Sport

Then Yashin said something today that was stunning and brazen, especially considering that he plays for the Islanders now.

The New York Times - Sports

The debate first bubbled with reagards to 2013 cinematography winner Life of Pi, a stunning movie that was stunning largely thanks to the incredible VFX.

Independent

In 1992 Wei Hai-ming gave a performance of the classic Chinese opera episode "The Tipsy Concubine" that was stunning in its understated elegance.

The New York Times - Arts

It will not, as Michele Bachmann claimed at a Republican debate, with a lack of responsibility that was stunning even for her, cause mental disabilities.

The New Yorker

Fukunaga's soaring landscape shots, dreamy flashbacks, and skill with making the Louisiana summer look authentically disgusting and oppressive unified the season with a visual language that was stunning and individual.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

"It shows a moral obtuseness that is stunning".

The New York Times

It's not just the misogyny that is stunning, but the casualness of it all.

Independent

Indie guitars and vocals run through it too, giving it a melancholy edge that's stunning.

The Guardian

They formed beautiful abstract floral patterns that were stunning, the kind of work that takes years to perfect.

The New York Times

"She has a vocal quality that is stunning," said Kristen Blodgette, the show's music director and a Broadway veteran.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context when using this phrase; it's best suited for situations where a strong positive reaction is appropriate and welcome.

Common error

Avoid using "that was stunning" too frequently in everyday, casual conversations. Overusing it can diminish its impact and make your speech sound insincere or theatrical.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was stunning" functions as an exclamatory expression, used to convey a strong positive reaction to something perceived as exceptionally impressive or beautiful. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and expressive phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Arts

20%

General

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that was stunning" is a grammatically correct and expressive way to convey strong admiration or amazement. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not overly formal, it's suitable for a range of contexts, particularly news and media or arts-related discussions. Consider alternatives like "that was amazing" or "that was impressive" to vary your language. However, avoid overuse in very casual settings to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was astonishing

Replaces "stunning" with a synonym implying great surprise and wonder.

that was amazing

Substitutes "stunning" with a more general term for something causing great wonder or surprise.

that was remarkable

Uses "remarkable" instead of "stunning" to convey something noteworthy or exceptional.

that was impressive

Employs "impressive" to highlight the admirable quality of something.

that was incredible

Replaces "stunning" with "incredible" to express disbelief and admiration.

that was extraordinary

Uses "extraordinary" to suggest something beyond the ordinary.

that was outstanding

Replaces "stunning" with "outstanding" to indicate superiority or excellence.

that was breathtaking

Uses "breathtaking" to describe something so beautiful or impressive that it takes one's breath away.

that was exceptional

Substitutes "stunning" with "exceptional" to emphasize the unusual or superior quality of something.

that was magnificent

Employs "magnificent" to describe something grand or splendid.

FAQs

What does "that was stunning" mean?

The phrase "that was stunning" expresses a strong feeling of admiration or amazement. It indicates that something was exceptionally beautiful, impressive, or surprising.

What can I say instead of "that was stunning"?

You can use alternatives like "that was amazing", "that was impressive", or "that was remarkable" to convey a similar sentiment.

Is it appropriate to use "that was stunning" in formal writing?

While "that was stunning" is generally acceptable, consider your audience and the tone of your writing. In some formal contexts, a more subdued expression of admiration might be more appropriate.

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

You can use "that was stunning" to react to an event or performance. For example, "The opera performance was incredible; that was stunning!"