how delightful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "how delightful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express pleasure or joy about something, often in a somewhat formal or polite context. Example: "When I received the invitation to the gala, I thought to myself, how delightful it will be to see everyone again."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

How delightful.

The New York Times - Style

"How delightful this is!

The Guardian - Books

How delightful, incidentally, that a team called the Beaneaters existed.

The Guardian

How delightful that we are once again doing that!

The New York Times

"Oh, a wager, how delightful," D'Angelo said, in a mocking highfalutin accent.

The New Yorker

I knew how delightful baby boys were, so what could be nicer than having even more?

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Children may enjoy hearing how many delightful variations can be worked on a sequence of sounds they might associate with dreary practice.

The New York Times - Books

To those of us now overfamiliar with Vivaldi's style, it is hard to see how this delightful work could have passed for anyone else's, least of all Galuppi's.

The New York Times

The frenzy that has greeted the fourth book in the series, "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire," would seem to go beyond any reasonable response to fiction, no matter how genuinely delightful that fiction happens to be.

The New York Times - Books

As Guthrie's assistant director on "The Cherry Orchard" with Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn, I saw firsthand how this delightful director found and created so much comedy in his production that Chekhov would have smiled approvingly.

The New York Times

Although I had expected the return of the clutter and the constant ringing of the telephone, one thing I hadn't counted on is how really delightful it is to have my daughter home.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "how delightful" to express genuine pleasure or mild amusement in response to a positive or pleasant situation. It can add a touch of formality or old-fashioned charm to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "how delightful" excessively in very casual conversations or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal or even sarcastic if not used appropriately. Consider using simpler expressions like "that's great" or "how nice" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how delightful" primarily functions as an exclamatory expression used to convey pleasure, amusement, or mild approval. It adds a touch of formality or old-fashioned charm to a statement. This usage is well-supported by Ludwig examples, confirming its role in expressing positive sentiment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Books

21%

Opinion

10%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Sports

4%

Arts

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "how delightful" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to convey pleasure, amusement, or mild approval. As analyzed by Ludwig, it functions primarily as an exclamatory phrase suitable for diverse contexts, although it leans towards a more formal register. Its prevalence in News & Media and Books confirms its widespread use in reputable sources. When writing, be mindful of the level of formality appropriate for your audience and consider alternatives like "how lovely" or "how charming" for more casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how lovely

A more general expression of pleasure or approval.

how charming

Emphasizes the pleasing or attractive quality of something.

how wonderful

Indicates a strong feeling of pleasure or admiration.

how pleasant

Suggests a mild and agreeable experience.

how agreeable

Highlights the harmonious or pleasing nature of something.

how amusing

Focuses on the humorous aspect of something.

how pleasing

Similar to pleasant, but perhaps slightly more formal.

how satisfying

Emphasizes the fulfilling or gratifying nature of something.

what a pleasure

Expresses enjoyment or satisfaction, often in a slightly more emphatic way.

that's so delightful

A more declarative form, affirming the delightful nature of something.

FAQs

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

"How delightful" is typically used as an exclamation to express pleasure or mild amusement. For example, "How delightful to see you again!" or "How delightful that the sun is shining today!"

What are some alternatives to "how delightful"?

You can use alternatives like "how lovely", "how charming", or "how wonderful" depending on the context and the level of enthusiasm you want to convey.

Is "how delightful" formal or informal?

"How delightful" leans towards the formal side, suggesting a degree of refinement or mild old-fashioned charm. It's appropriate in many situations but may sound a bit out of place in extremely casual settings.

When is it appropriate to use "how delightful"?

Use "how delightful" when you want to express genuine pleasure or appreciation in a slightly elevated manner. It works well in situations where a simple "thank you" or "that's nice" feels insufficient.