very perfect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very perfect" is not grammatically correct and is not commonly used in written English.
The word "perfect" already means "without flaws or imperfections," so adding "very" before it is redundant and unnecessary. Instead, you can use words such as "extremely" or "exceedingly" to emphasize the degree of perfection. For example, instead of saying "The painting was very perfect," you could say "The painting was extremely perfect" or "The painting was exceedingly perfect."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Music is very perfect now, and I don't really like the perfection, I like the imperfection.

Huffington Post

Number three is you need to have very perfect fermentation.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The definition given Dr. Szymanski is very perfect, i totally agree with him.

Harvard University

As Ms. Erickson says, "People expect you to somehow be very, very, very, very perfect".

The New York Times

We are speaking out our truths and identities in very perfect English".

The New York Times

The "very perfect gentle knight" of the painting may well be a portrait or imaginary representation of him.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Not just very good: perfect.

MIT Technology Review

The steak was very nearly perfect.

The New York Times - Travel

They have to look very nearly perfect.

The New York Times

It's also very Balearic – perfect for the Ibiza sunshine.

Independent

It was, at the very least, perfect for me.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If you want to intensify the meaning of "perfect", consider using adverbs like "absolutely", "completely", or "utterly" instead of "very".

Common error

Don't intensify "perfect" with "very". The word "perfect" already denotes the highest possible degree. Using "very" is redundant and weakens your writing. Aim for precision.

Linguistic Context

Adverbial Modifier. The phrase "very perfect" functions as an adverbial modifier, attempting to intensify the adjective "perfect". However, due to the inherent nature of "perfect", the modification is generally considered redundant. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is not grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

27%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "very perfect" appears in various sources, including news and media, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. The word "perfect" already signifies the highest degree of flawlessness, making the addition of "very" redundant. Therefore, it's best to avoid using "very perfect" in formal writing and opt for stronger synonyms like "absolutely flawless" or "impeccable". If you wish to intensify "perfect", using adverbs like "absolutely", "completely", or "utterly" is preferable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

perfect in every way

Adds emphasis to the comprehensiveness of the perfection.

perfect without exception

Stresses that every aspect is perfect, with no deviations.

absolutely flawless

Emphasizes the lack of flaws to a greater extent than "perfect" alone.

utterly impeccable

Highlights the faultlessness and blamelessness of something.

completely faultless

Directly states the absence of any faults or defects.

entirely without blemish

Focuses on the absence of even the smallest imperfections.

exceptionally ideal

Emphasizes that something not only meets the required qualities but exceeds them.

supremely refined

Highlights the quality of being cultured, elegant or of the highest standard.

consummately skilled

Highlights the ultimate, accomplished level of skill.

unquestionably superior

Emphasizes the quality of being higher in rank, status, or quality.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "very perfect"?

According to standard English grammar, the phrase "very perfect" is generally considered incorrect. "Perfect" already means without flaw, so adding "very" is redundant. However, Ludwig provides examples of the phrase being used, though such usage is often considered non-standard.

What can I say instead of "very perfect"?

You can use alternatives like "absolutely flawless", "completely faultless", or "perfect in every way" to express a similar meaning.

Is there a difference between "perfect" and "very perfect"?

While "perfect" means without any flaws, the phrase "very perfect" attempts to emphasize this flawlessness. However, because "perfect" already represents the highest degree, adding "very" is grammatically redundant and often considered incorrect. The term "absolutely flawless" is preferable.

In what contexts might I encounter the phrase "very perfect"?

Although grammatically questionable, "very perfect" might appear in informal speech, creative writing, or when someone is trying to add emphasis. Ludwig's examples show its presence in news media and even academic contexts, though this doesn't make it grammatically sound.