how great

USAGE SUMMARY

"how great" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is impressive, impressive in a large scale, or remarkable in some way. For example: "The artwork was magnificent - how great!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

How great we are.

The New York Times

How great, I thought.

The New Yorker

How great is that!

The New York Times

"How great you're looking!

The New Yorker

How great is Schubert?

The New Yorker

How great we were, how great.

The Guardian - Books

But how great is it?

The New Yorker

"How great," Brown answered.

The New Yorker

We had no clue how great.

The New York Times - Sports

"How great is it to be young?

The New York Times

"I tell them how great they are.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "how great" to express genuine admiration or surprise. Avoid overuse, as it can lose its impact.

Common error

In formal writing, avoid relying heavily on "how great". Opt for more specific and descriptive adjectives to convey the magnitude or quality you intend to emphasize.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how great" primarily functions as an exclamatory expression, used to convey surprise, admiration, or emphasis. It amplifies the adjective 'great', indicating a high degree of positive quality or magnitude. Ludwig AI confirms this with examples from varied sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "how great" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express admiration or emphasize the magnitude of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's most frequently found in news and media sources, indicating a neutral to informal register. While versatile, it's advisable to use more specific adjectives in formal writing to avoid sounding repetitive or overly enthusiastic. Alternatives include "how wonderful" or "how amazing", depending on the context. Be mindful of overuse to maintain impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how wonderful

Replaces 'great' with a synonym expressing strong approval.

how amazing

Substitutes 'great' with another adjective indicating surprise and admiration.

how fantastic

Similar to 'wonderful', emphasizing the positive and impressive nature.

how remarkable

Replaces 'great' with a term suggesting something exceptional and noteworthy.

how impressive

Focuses on the quality of inspiring admiration or respect.

what a triumph

Expresses strong approval, framing something as a victory.

what a success

Frames something as a positive outcome or achievement.

how significant

Emphasizes the importance or consequence of something.

how considerable

Highlights the size or amount of something.

to what extent

Shifts focus to the degree or measure of something, rather than direct praise.

FAQs

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

You can use "how great" to express admiration or emphasize the magnitude of something. For example, "How great is this opportunity?" or "Remember "how great that was"".

What are some alternatives to "how great"?

Some alternatives include "how wonderful", "how amazing", or "how fantastic", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "how great" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "how great" might be perceived as informal in certain contexts. Consider using more descriptive or precise language for formal writing such as "to what extent".

What's the difference between "how great" and "what a great"?

"How great" emphasizes the degree or extent of greatness, while "what a great" emphasizes the quality or attribute of being great. For example, "How great is the view?" versus "What a great view!"