In 15 Seconds
- Describes something used that looks brand new.
- Higher quality than 'good' or 'fair' states.
- Commonly used in sales, real estate, and collecting.
Meaning
This phrase describes something that looks and works like it is brand new. You use it when an object has no damage, scratches, or problems at all.
Key Examples
3 of 6Selling a car online
The 2015 sedan is in excellent condition with low mileage.
The 2015 sedan is in very good state with low mileage.
Showing a friend a vintage find
Look at this record player! It's in excellent condition.
Look at this record player! It is in very good state.
A real estate agent showing a house
The hardwood floors are in excellent condition throughout the home.
The hardwood floors are in very good state throughout the home.
Cultural Background
In the US, 'excellent condition' is legally significant in used car sales. If a dealer describes a car this way, it must meet certain safety and aesthetic standards. British sellers on platforms like Gumtree are often quite modest. Something described as 'good condition' might actually be 'excellent', as they want to avoid over-promising. Japanese second-hand shops (like Book-Off) have very high standards. An item in 'excellent condition' in Japan often looks literally untouched by human hands. Germans value technical precision. 'Excellent condition' (ausgezeichneter Zustand) usually refers to the mechanical or functional perfection of an item, not just how it looks.
The 'In' Rule
Always remember the preposition 'in'. You are 'in' a condition, never 'with' or 'on' it.
Don't Overuse
If you describe everything as 'excellent condition', people might not believe you. Use 'good' or 'fair' if there are minor flaws.
In 15 Seconds
- Describes something used that looks brand new.
- Higher quality than 'good' or 'fair' states.
- Commonly used in sales, real estate, and collecting.
What It Means
Excellent condition is the gold standard for used items. It means something is almost perfect. It is better than good or fair. It implies the owner took great care of it. Think of a vintage car with shiny paint. Or a book with no folded pages. It is the highest praise for something's physical state.
How To Use It
You usually use this after the verb to be. You can say, "The sofa is in excellent condition." You can also use it as a descriptive phrase. For example, "I found an excellent condition camera." It works for big things like houses. It also works for small things like phones. It focuses on the quality and appearance.
When To Use It
Use this when you are selling something online. It helps you get a better price. Use it when describing a gift you received. It is perfect for professional reports about equipment. You can use it when bragging about your old laptop. It sounds positive and impressive. It shows you are a responsible person who values things.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for people. You wouldn't say your grandmother is in excellent condition. That sounds like she is a piece of furniture! Use great health instead. Avoid it for food. An apple isn't in excellent condition; it is fresh. Also, don't lie. If a car has a huge dent, do not use this phrase. You will lose your friend's trust!
Cultural Background
In English-speaking cultures, we love a good deal. Websites like eBay or Facebook Marketplace rely on these terms. Excellent condition is a specific grade in the world of collecting. Collectors of coins, stamps, or comic books are very strict. In the UK and US, saying an item is in this state implies pride. It suggests a tidy, organized lifestyle.
Common Variations
You might hear mint condition. This is even stronger than excellent. It means it looks like it just left the factory. You might also hear like new. This is very common in casual talk. In formal documents, you might see pristine condition. All of these tell the same story: it is perfect.
Usage Notes
This is a neutral-to-formal collocation. It is most frequently found in commercial contexts like sales, insurance, and property management. Avoid using it for living beings or perishable items.
The 'In' Rule
Always remember the preposition 'in'. You are 'in' a condition, never 'with' or 'on' it.
Don't Overuse
If you describe everything as 'excellent condition', people might not believe you. Use 'good' or 'fair' if there are minor flaws.
For its age
Add 'for its age' to sound like a native speaker when describing old things. 'It's in excellent condition for its age.'
Examples
6The 2015 sedan is in excellent condition with low mileage.
The 2015 sedan is in very good state with low mileage.
Standard way to attract buyers for a well-kept vehicle.
Look at this record player! It's in excellent condition.
Look at this record player! It is in very good state.
Expressing excitement about the quality of an old item.
The hardwood floors are in excellent condition throughout the home.
The hardwood floors are in very good state throughout the home.
Highlighting a selling point of a property.
Don't worry, I'll return your bike in excellent condition!
Don't worry, I'll return your bike in very good state!
Giving a promise that the item won't be damaged.
My phone is in excellent condition, if you ignore the shattered screen.
My phone is in very good state, if you ignore the shattered screen.
Using irony because the phone is actually broken.
My mother kept her wedding dress in excellent condition for thirty years.
My mother kept her wedding dress in very good state for thirty years.
Showing respect for how someone cared for something precious.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing preposition.
I am selling my old guitar. It is ____ excellent condition.
We always use the preposition 'in' to describe a state or condition of an object.
Which sentence is the most natural for a professional car advertisement?
Choose the best option:
'In excellent condition' is the standard collocation. 'Very' is not used with 'excellent'.
Match the phrase with its meaning.
Match the following:
Excellent condition implies the item is high quality and well-maintained.
Complete the dialogue between a buyer and a seller.
Buyer: 'Are there any scratches on the screen?' Seller: 'No, none at all. The whole tablet is ____.'
The phrase is usually used without an article ('an') when describing the state of an object.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Condition Scale
Practice Bank
4 exercisesI am selling my old guitar. It is ____ excellent condition.
We always use the preposition 'in' to describe a state or condition of an object.
Choose the best option:
'In excellent condition' is the standard collocation. 'Very' is not used with 'excellent'.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Excellent condition implies the item is high quality and well-maintained.
Buyer: 'Are there any scratches on the screen?' Seller: 'No, none at all. The whole tablet is ____.'
The phrase is usually used without an article ('an') when describing the state of an object.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsNo, 'mint condition' is usually considered better. It implies the item is exactly as it was when it was first made, whereas 'excellent' just means it's very well-kept.
Only for specific parts of health (e.g., 'His heart is in excellent condition'). Don't use it to mean someone is a 'good person'.
The most common opposites are 'poor condition', 'bad condition', or 'rough shape'.
Usually, no. We say 'in excellent condition', not 'in an excellent condition'.
Related Phrases
mint condition
similarPerfect, as if just made.
pristine condition
synonymClean, fresh, and as if new.
poor condition
contrastDamaged or not working well.
well-maintained
builds onKept in good order through regular care.
