Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

MitStanfordHarvardAustralian Nationa UniversityNanyangOxford

A good one at that

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a good one at that" is correct and usable in written English
It is typically used to emphasize that something is not only good but also noteworthy or deserving of recognition.
Example: "She made a fantastic presentation, and it was a good one at that, impressing everyone in the room."
Alternatives: "a commendable one" or "a notable one"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Running a lemonade stand gives kids their first primer on the mysterious world of economics - and a good one at that.

News & Media

Huffington Post

And quite a good one at that.

Gradually I learned to be a dad, and a good one at that.

News & Media

The New York Times

It's a table tennis game, and quite a good one at that.

She offers a portrait of the artist as a young woman, and a good one at that.

News & Media

The New Yorker

Anna Ziegler Brooklyn "My late husband was a set designer, and quite a good one at that.

News & Media

The New York Times
Show more...

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

It was just a painting of a wolf on a door, and not even a particularly good one at that.

Unlike many writers on environmental cataclysm, McKibben is actually a writer, and a very good one at that.

London Cocktail Week is a thing and a jolly good one at that.

News & Media

Independent

ELLIE is a psychologist, and a damned good one at that.

News & Media

The Economist

At his core, Macklemore is a rapper, and a pretty good one at that.

Show more...

Expert writing Tips

✓ Best practice

Use "a good one at that" to emphatically underscore the positive qualities of something you've just mentioned, adding weight to your assessment.

⚠ Common error

Avoid using "a good one at that" excessively in casual conversations or informal writing, as it can sound overly emphatic or even sarcastic if not used judiciously.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a good one at that" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a preceding statement to add emphasis and convey a strong affirmation of quality or suitability. As noted by Ludwig, it serves to underscore the positive attribute being described.

Expression frequency: Common

✓ Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

⚠ Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a good one at that" is a versatile expression used to emphatically affirm the quality or suitability of something. Ludwig's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, primarily in news and media. While suitable for neutral and professional settings, it should be used judiciously in highly formal writing where more precise language is preferred. Alternatives like "a fine one at that" or "an excellent one at that" can provide nuanced emphasis. As per Ludwig AI, the phrase serves to underscore positive attributes, adding weight and conviction to an assessment.

FAQs

How can I use "a good one at that" in a sentence?

Use "a good one at that" to emphasize that something is not just good, but notably so. For example: "The presentation was informative, and "a good one at that", impressing the entire team."

What's a more formal way to say "a good one at that"?

In more formal contexts, consider alternatives like "a commendable one" or "a notable one". These phrases maintain the positive emphasis but sound more sophisticated.

Is "a good one at that" suitable for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "a good one at that" might be too informal for strict academic writing. Opt for more precise and formal language to convey your assessment.

How does "a good one at that" differ from simply saying "good"?

"A good one at that" adds extra emphasis, suggesting the item or action is not only good but also particularly noteworthy or impressive. It amplifies the positive assessment beyond a simple "good".

ChatGPT power + Grammarly precisionChatGPT power + Grammarly precision
ChatGPT + Grammarly

Editing plus AI, all in one place.

Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.

Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: