Guide 38 / 200 6 swaps Formal register
Professional words for “good”
Six adjectives that promote vague "good" into specific praise.
i · When it mattersTwo lines, no filler
"Good" is the blandest positive. Each of its richer cousins carries a different shade — exemplary for standards, commendable for effort, stellar for outcomes.
ii · The swaps6 ways
- 01Exemplary formal
a model worth copying
An exemplary incident write-up.
- 02Commendable formal
effort worth praising
Commendable work under pressure.
- 03Excellent neutral
high quality, general use
An excellent candidate.
- 04Solid neutral
dependable, not flashy
A solid performance this quarter.
- 05Strong neutral
competitive standing
A strong bid from the incumbent.
- 06Stellar informal
exceeded expectations
A stellar launch week.
iii · And what not to sayKeep this one
"Really good" can almost always be one better word. Find it.