a wondrous sight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a wondrous sight" is correct and can be used in written English.
You could use it to describe something that amazes or astonishes you, such as a beautiful scene. For example, "The sun sinking below the horizon was a wondrous sight".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Her competitors will pardon us for saying that that would be a wondrous sight.

The New York Times

So, after 10 long years, the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam has reopened – and what a wondrous sight it must be.

The Guardian - Books

Operators and content providers the world over are keen to find out how they can emulate i-mode's example.Those who have made the pilgrimage to DoCoMo's 29th-floor demonstration room over the past few months have been rewarded with what is, to most people in the industry, a wondrous sight: 3G phones that actually work.

The Economist

The sea bed is a wondrous sight.

BBC

It's a wondrous sight to behold – YOU are a wondrous sight to behold, Class of 2018 – and your occurrence here is made even more remarkable by the fact that you're not just some collection of birds, but rather a very carefully selected group of the most talented students from across the planet, all flocking here at this moment, and now finally coming to roost to begin your Duke career.

Duke University

From the Jesus Christ lizard with its ability to run on water, to the howler monkeys hanging about in trees, to the technicolor toucans, quetzals and caracara birds, to the bizarre two-toed sloth sleeping comfortably in the crooks of trees, to the eyelash viper, a bright yellow poisonous snake hiding mainly in the banana fields, Costa Rica is a wondrous sight for any photographers eyes.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Armed with just a rusty pair of scissors and a jar full of spit, the band joyously set out on the fucked up terrain of a full length and returned with a wondrous heap of sight and sound that brings in everything from Hardcore Devo, The Fall's Grotesque and that weirdo snippets of thoughts/sounds aesthetic that permeated through the finer releases from the Gravity label in the early 90s.

Vice

Fourteen women on stage without men is a novelty, and in itself a rather wondrous sight to behold.

The Guardian

That, and the wondrous sight of Gregg Wallace unshackled from self-control and John Torode.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Apart from relishing the wondrous sight of wild marine mammals in London (as opposed to the captive dolphins which were exhibited in an underground dolphinarium in Soho in the 1970s), these sightings speak to a cleaner river – and the possibility of us joining them.

The Guardian - Opinion

It has some wondrous sights: a thousand temples scattered across the countryside in Bagan; the leg-rowers and floating gardens of Inle Lake, and majestic rivers - the Ayeyarwady and the Chindwin - navigable into the furthest reaches of the country" said Gill Charlton, Telegraph Travel's Burma expert.

The Telegraph

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a wondrous sight" to describe something that evokes a sense of awe or amazement. It's especially effective when describing natural landscapes, artistic creations, or unexpected events.

Common error

Avoid using "a wondrous sight" to describe everyday occurrences. This phrase is most impactful when reserved for truly exceptional or awe-inspiring scenes.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "a wondrous sight" is as a noun phrase functioning as a subject complement or object. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It serves to describe something visually impressive or awe-inspiring.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

16%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a wondrous sight" is a grammatically correct and evocative phrase used to describe something that inspires awe and admiration. Ludwig AI confirms this. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, with a slightly formal tone that makes it suitable for descriptive writing. While not exceptionally frequent, it provides a powerful way to express a sense of wonder. Related phrases include "a marvelous sight" and "a spectacular sight", each with slightly different nuances. When using this phrase, reserve it for truly remarkable scenes to maximize its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a marvelous sight

Substitutes "wondrous" with "marvelous", implying admiration but with a slightly different nuance.

a magnificent sight

Replaces "wondrous" with "magnificent", giving more emphasis to impressiveness and grandeur.

a stunning sight

Utilizes "stunning" to highlight the breathtaking nature of the view.

a glorious sight

Uses "glorious" to convey a sense of splendor and magnificence.

a delightful sight

Replaces "wondrous" with "delightful", emphasizing the pleasure derived from the sight.

a spectacular sight

Uses "spectacular" instead of "wondrous", focusing on the visual grandeur of the scene.

a breathtaking view

Shifts focus from the "sight" itself to the overall "view", highlighting its impact.

an awe-inspiring spectacle

Replaces both "wondrous" and "sight" to create a stronger sense of amazement.

a lovely sight

Employs "lovely" to convey a sense of gentle beauty rather than awe.

a remarkable view

Substitutes “wondrous sight” with “remarkable view”, emphasizing the noteworthiness of the landscape.

FAQs

How can I use "a wondrous sight" in a sentence?

You can use "a wondrous sight" to describe anything that evokes a feeling of awe or amazement. For example: "The aurora borealis was "a wondrous sight"." or "The Grand Canyon at sunrise is "a wondrous sight"".

What phrases are similar to "a wondrous sight"?

Similar phrases include "a marvelous sight", "a spectacular sight", or "a magnificent sight". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a wondrous sight" formal or informal?

"A wondrous sight" leans towards a slightly formal or elevated style, suitable for descriptive writing where you want to convey a sense of awe and admiration.

Can "a wondrous sight" be used sarcastically?

While primarily used to express genuine admiration, "a wondrous sight" could be used sarcastically in a context where the speaker finds something surprisingly or ironically displeasing, though this usage is less common.