how envious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "how envious" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used as an expression to show surprise or disbelief at someone's luck or success. For example: "She got a job in her dream company! How envious!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"You cannot imagine how envious I am that you have close Indian friends," he said.

The Guardian - Books

It was the only thing I could think considering that everyone was telling me how envious they were of me.

The New York Times

But by the end of a pretty short conversation they're usually telling me how envious of me they are and how they wish they could spend more time with their kids.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

How did he know that Michelle Obama was a fan? "We were invited for Thanksgiving at the American ambassador's house and he read out a letter from the First Lady saying how envious she was that he was hosting a dinner  for us".

Independent

How envious your neighbors must be, if you already have a solar panel on your roof.

Forbes

Also let them know how envious their friends will be if they send back regular photos of their adventures.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

And if that is not enough to make us Angelinos slightly envious, how about this?

Huffington Post

I have very supportive parents who have never pressured me into marriage, in fact my mother often tells me how she is envious I have had the chance to live alone and how impressed she is that I eat dinner at restaurants alone without any kind of hesitation.

Huffington Post

Elsewhere in the world people are envious at how much support start-ups get in the UK.

The Guardian

"I'm pretty sure plenty of fellas would be a bit envious of how I'm earning a bit of pocket money from time to time," he told news.com.au, replying when asked whether it was a good retirement gig: "Oh, most definitely".

Independent

The first time I read Gregg's crass and funny autobiography, "My Cross to Bear," I was instantly envious of how efficiently he seemed to absorb pain, like one of those punching bags that relentlessly rights itself, even when you hurl your entire body at the canvas.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "how envious" to express a sense of admiration mixed with longing for something someone else possesses. It often conveys a lighthearted or slightly exaggerated feeling of envy.

Common error

Avoid using "how envious" in situations where you genuinely admire someone without any negative feelings. Envy implies a degree of resentment, so if your feelings are purely positive, consider using phrases like "how inspiring" or "how impressive" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how envious" functions as an exclamatory expression used to convey a feeling of envy or mild jealousy towards someone's situation or possessions. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in expressing surprise or disbelief at someone's luck or success.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "how envious" is a relative clause expressing a feeling of envy or mild jealousy, often tinged with admiration. Ludwig AI confirms it's a correct and usable phrase in written English, commonly used to express surprise or disbelief at another's good fortune. While grammatically sound and understood, it's not the most frequent expression, categorized as 'uncommon'. Its usage is most prevalent in news and media contexts. To ensure effective communication, be mindful of the implications of envy—slight resentment—when choosing this phrase. If pure admiration is intended, alternatives like "how inspiring" may be more fitting. Remember, the key is to match your expression to the specific emotion you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how jealous

Replaces 'envious' with a synonym that also describes resentment toward someone else's advantages.

i'm so jealous

A direct and common way to express feelings of envy.

how covetous

Emphasizes a strong desire for something belonging to another, similar to 'envious'.

that's so enviable

Shifts the focus to the characteristic of being worthy of envy.

i'm green with envy

Similar to the idiomatic expression 'how green with envy'.

how green with envy

Uses an idiomatic expression to highlight the intensity of the envy.

that makes me envious

Highlights the cause of the feeling of envy.

i can't help but envy

Expresses an inability to control feelings of envy.

how much I envy you

Shifts to a more direct expression of envy toward the listener.

i wish i had that

Expresses a desire for something someone else has, implying envy.

FAQs

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

You can use "how envious" to express mild jealousy or admiration for someone's good fortune or achievements. For example, "She's traveling the world? /s/how+envious!"

What's the difference between "how envious" and "i'm jealous"?

"How envious" often expresses a more lighthearted feeling of longing, while "I'm jealous" can sometimes indicate a stronger, more possessive emotion.

What are some alternatives to saying "how envious"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "how lucky", "I wish that were me", or "that's enviable".

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "how envious"?

It's appropriate when you want to convey a sense of admiration mixed with a touch of longing or mild jealousy. Be mindful of the tone to ensure it doesn't come across as overly negative or bitter.