Very good vs Very nice indeed

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Very good

Top 1,000 (very common)

Very nice indeed

InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: Very goodMost common: Very good
 Very goodVery nice indeed
Pronunciation🇬🇧 //ˈvɛri ɡʊd//🇺🇸 //ˈvɛri ɡʊd//🇬🇧 //ˈvɛri naɪs ɪnˈdiːd//🇺🇸 //ˈvɛri naɪs ɪnˈdid//
MeaningReally nice or great.A friendly way to say something is very good.
ExampleThe food at this restaurant is very good.I enjoyed the concert; it was very nice indeed!
RegisterNeutralInformal
How commonTop 1,000 (very common)Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Collocationsvery good news, very good friend, very good performancevery nice weather, very nice to meet you, very nice meal, very nice gesture, very nice place
Common mistakesUsing 'very goodly' instead of 'very good', Confusing with 'really good' - both are correct but might sound different in usage, Overuse can make it sound less genuineUsed in overly formal situations, where simpler phrases are better., Confused with other phrases like 'really nice' without understanding the emphasis., Overused in a sarcastic tone, which may confuse the listener.
Usage notesUsed to express approval or satisfaction. Can be informal among friends, but appropriate in many contexts.Use this phrase in casual conversations to express strong approval or appreciation. It is best suited for informal settings and might sound too exaggerated in formal contexts.

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Very good
Very nice indeed

Frequently asked questions: Very good vs Very nice indeed

What's the difference between Very good and Very nice indeed?

Very good: Really nice or great. Very nice indeed: A friendly way to say something is very good.

Which is more formal: Very good and Very nice indeed?

Very good is the most formal of these.

Which is more common: Very good and Very nice indeed?

Very good is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Very good: The food at this restaurant is very good. Very nice indeed: I enjoyed the concert; it was very nice indeed!

Can I use Very good and Very nice indeed interchangeably?

Not always. Very good and Very nice indeed are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.

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