truly good

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "truly good" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize the genuine quality or virtue of something, often in a positive context. Example: "The movie was truly good, leaving a lasting impression on everyone who watched it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Were they good, truly good, enough?

The Guardian - Opinion

This is a truly good idea.

The New York Times

A truly good man and good friend.

The New York Times

Mitt Romney is a truly good man and great leader.

The New York Times

"But the guy I knew was truly good.

The New York Times - Arts

Roger was a great person and a truly good person.

The New York Times

A truly good man who will be missed.

The New York Times

"They are truly good people and are both mature.

The New York Times - Sports

You cannot get a truly good tamale in New York.

The New York Times - Tech

But not apologizing isn't the same as, say, celebrating a truly good year.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr Torricelli hit him time and again.For that was what Mr Torricelli was truly good at.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "truly good" to emphasize the sincerity or genuineness of something, distinguishing it from something that is merely superficially good. For example, "a truly good friend" suggests a friend who is reliable and supportive in a meaningful way.

Common error

While "truly good" is acceptable in many situations, consider using more sophisticated alternatives like "exceptionally virtuous" or "genuinely beneficial" in formal writing to enhance credibility and precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "truly good" functions as an intensifier plus adjective, modifying a noun or pronoun to emphasize the positive quality. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this construction is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Wiki

13%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "truly good" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that functions as an intensifier plus adjective. It serves to express genuine approval or admiration, highlighting the authentic nature of something positive. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely recognized and accepted. While versatile, it's most common in news and media, with more formal alternatives available for academic or professional writing. Consider the context and desired level of formality when choosing between "truly good" and its synonyms, such as "genuinely good" or "exceptionally good".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

genuinely good

Emphasizes authenticity and sincerity in goodness.

really good

A more informal and direct way of expressing high quality.

exceptionally good

Highlights a level of goodness that exceeds expectations.

remarkably good

Suggests the goodness is worthy of attention or comment.

incredibly good

Emphasizes the high degree or intensity of goodness.

outstandingly good

Focuses on the superior nature of the goodness.

absolutely good

Implies a complete and unquestionable goodness.

thoroughly good

Suggests a goodness that is complete in all aspects.

positively good

Highlights the beneficial and affirmative nature of the goodness.

decidedly good

Indicates a clear and unambiguous goodness.

FAQs

How can I use "truly good" in a sentence?

You can use "truly good" to emphasize the genuine nature of something positive. For example, "He is a "truly good person"" or "That was a "truly good deed"".

What's a more formal alternative to "truly good"?

In formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "genuinely excellent", "exceptionally virtuous", or "remarkably beneficial" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is there a difference between "truly good" and "really good"?

While both express positivity, "truly good" often implies a deeper, more sincere quality, whereas "really good" is a more general and informal expression of approval.

When is it appropriate to use "truly good"?

It's appropriate to use "truly good" when you want to highlight the authentic and genuine nature of something positive, whether it's a person's character, an action, or an object.