how enviable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "how enviable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express admiration or jealousy towards someone's situation or qualities that are considered desirable. Example: "She has a beautiful home and a successful career; how enviable her life must be!"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

You need people well informed enough to understand just how enviable you are.

The New Yorker

"How enviable a quiet death by lethal injection," Justice Antonin Scalia once proclaimed, as he contrasted the demise of a condemned murderer with that of his victim.

The Guardian - Opinion

Two, the sad realisation that, if you're a woman, it doesn't matter how educated you are, how enviable your income might be or how confident and high-achieving you are.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

No matter how enviable the beautiful young things the glossy brochure depicts cavorting in the penthouse, persuading the public that buying here will make you glamorous won't work if the development is called the old sewage works.

The Guardian - Money

While Sam was clearing the table with shaking hands, Loretta said to Anna how enviable it was to have such a close lifetime companion.

Vice

"How enviable a quiet death by lethal injection compared with that!" He was referring to Henry Lee McCollum, who at the time had already been on death row for 12 years.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

It's pretty clear that being a member of the Royal Family is, for all its privileges, far from enviable; how often William must have felt jealous of friends who were merely posh and rich and anonymous.

The New Yorker

It's saying the would-be buyer doesn't grasp how "robust and enviable" its games are and how loyal and addicted the people who buy their games really are.

Forbes

"Ericsson has impeccable technological know-how and an enviable customer base," Per Lindberg of Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein said.

The New York Times

He liked being rich, and liked advising people about how to achieve that enviable state.

The Economist

The problem for investors is that they don't appear to have figured out how to monetize this enviable position.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "how enviable," consider the audience and context. It can sometimes imply envy, so ensure the tone is appropriate and doesn't come across negatively.

Common error

Avoid using "how enviable" excessively in casual conversations. While grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or pretentious in informal settings. Opt for simpler expressions of admiration, like "that's amazing" or "I'm so happy for you."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how enviable" functions as an adverbial relative clause, often used to express admiration or a hint of envy towards a particular situation, quality, or achievement. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in conveying a sense of desirable circumstances.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "how enviable" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express admiration, often tinged with a slight sense of envy, for a situation or quality someone possesses. It functions as an adverbial relative clause and, according to Ludwig, is mostly utilized in neutral to formal contexts, particularly in news and media. While acceptable, consider the audience and potential implications of envy when employing this phrase. As Ludwig AI has indicated, its subtle nuances distinguish it from simple admiration or desirability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how desirable

Focuses on the attractiveness and appeal of something, rather than the feeling of envy it evokes.

how fortunate

Emphasizes the luck or good fortune associated with a situation.

how lucky

Similar to "how fortunate", highlighting the element of chance or good luck.

how privileged

Indicates that someone is in a special or advantageous position due to circumstances.

how advantageous

Highlights the benefits and favorable aspects of a situation.

how admirable

Focuses on the praiseworthy and respectable qualities of someone or something.

how impressive

Highlights the remarkable or noteworthy aspects of something.

how coveted

Emphasizes the strong desire that others have for something.

to what extent enviable

Emphasizes how much something is desired, adding a degree of intensity.

in what way enviable

Focuses on the aspects of something that make it desirable.

FAQs

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

Use "how enviable" to express admiration or a slight longing for someone else's positive situation. For example, "She travels the world for her job; how enviable!"

What's the difference between "how enviable" and "how desirable"?

"How enviable" implies a sense of admiration mixed with a hint of envy, while "how desirable" focuses more on the attractive qualities of something. Consider the subtle difference in tone when choosing between them.

What can I say instead of "how enviable"?

You can use alternatives like "how fortunate", "how lucky", or "how privileged" depending on the context. The best choice relies on the specific tone you intend to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "how enviable"?

While grammatically correct, "how enviable" can sometimes come across as insincere or slightly envious if not used carefully. Be mindful of the context and your relationship with the person you're addressing. Using alternatives might be a safer option.