how breathtaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "how breathtaking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express admiration or awe, often in response to something visually stunning or emotionally moving. Example: "The view from the mountaintop was how breathtaking, leaving us speechless."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

How breathtaking was the dunk?

The New Yorker

(A film clip from his days on the University of Southern California team proves how breathtaking a Simpson touchdown run could be).

The New York Times

Although Mr. Obama praised his predecessor's "extraordinary strength and resolve" after the Sept. 11 attacks, he noted "just how breathtaking the financial crisis" he had left behind turned out to be.

The New York Times

"I wanted to ask questions about how these images of war are breathtaking, and speculate as to just how breathtaking these images will have to become in the future in order for us to pay attention to them".

The New Yorker

They could not have predicted that the roof's wisteria would wend its way all the way up the piece; that the red-tailed hawk Pale Male would regularly circle overhead; or how breathtaking Central Park would look from "Big Bambú" as the seasons changed.

The New York Times - Arts

"I've talked to him about what to expect and he's just told me how breathtaking it is.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

That's because until there is a broadly shared consensus on how the breathtaking injustice of Hillsborough happened, we will not be able to make this the moment of change for our country that it needs to be.

The Guardian - Opinion

I told him about the trip to Yellowstone and the Snake River in Idaho, how the breathtaking scenery inspired me.

Huffington Post

It's breathtaking how fast they worked".

The New Yorker

"It's breathtaking how different [boys and girls] are.

The Guardian

Bombay Bicycle Club are special, too, although it is bewildering how music so breathtaking is fashioned by four men with so little to say.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "how breathtaking" to express genuine surprise and admiration, especially when describing a visual experience or a significant achievement. It's effective in conveying a strong positive reaction.

Common error

Avoid using "how breathtaking" to describe ordinary situations or items. Reserve it for moments that truly inspire awe or significant admiration, otherwise, it can sound hyperbolic or insincere.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "how breathtaking" is to express a high degree of admiration or awe. It often serves as an exclamation or part of an indirect question, as showcased in Ludwig's examples, conveying a strong emotional response to something impressive.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "how breathtaking" is a versatile expression used to convey a sense of awe and admiration. It is deemed grammatically correct by Ludwig and finds common usage, particularly in news and media. While adaptable to both formal and informal scenarios, it's best reserved for contexts where genuine surprise and admiration are warranted. Consider alternatives like "how awe-inspiring" or "how stunning" to suit specific nuances. Avoid overuse in mundane situations to maintain its impact and sincerity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how awe-inspiring

Replaces "breathtaking" with "awe-inspiring" maintaining a similar sense of wonder but emphasizing the inspiring nature of the subject.

how incredibly beautiful

Substitutes "breathtaking" with "incredibly beautiful" to highlight aesthetic appeal rather than astonishment.

how remarkably stunning

Uses "remarkably stunning" to convey a slightly more intense and visually focused admiration compared to "breathtaking".

how extraordinarily impressive

Replaces "breathtaking" with "extraordinarily impressive" shifting the focus to the subject's impact and grandeur.

to what extent it was breathtaking

Reformulates the sentence to emphasize the degree to which something was breathtaking, adding a layer of inquiry.

just how magnificent it all was

Focuses on the overall magnificence, broadening the scope of admiration beyond a single striking aspect.

how utterly astonishing it seemed

Employs "utterly astonishing" to emphasize the surprise and disbelief associated with the experience.

how surprisingly impressive it turned out to be

Introduces an element of surprise, suggesting that the subject exceeded initial expectations.

how deeply moved I was by it

Shifts the focus from the object itself to the personal emotional impact, emphasizing a profound feeling.

how incredibly captivating everything was

Emphasizes the captivating nature of the subject, suggesting it holds attention and fascinates.

FAQs

How can I use "how breathtaking" in a sentence?

You can use "how breathtaking" to describe something that is surprisingly beautiful or impressive. For example, "I've talked to him about what to expect and he's just told me "how breathtaking" it is."

What can I say instead of "how breathtaking"?

You can use alternatives like "how awe-inspiring", "how stunning", or "how magnificent" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "how breathtaking"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. It is typically used as part of a larger sentence or clause to express surprise or admiration at something beautiful or impressive. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

What's the difference between "how breathtaking" and "so breathtaking"?

"How breathtaking" is often used in a question or exclamation expressing surprise, while "so breathtaking" typically serves as an intensifier. For instance, "How breathtaking the view was!" versus "The view was so breathtaking."