how handsome

USAGE SUMMARY

"how handsome" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to make an observation about someone's appearance. For example, "Look at him - how handsome he is!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

How handsome?

The New York Times

See how handsome he is now?

The New York Times - Magazine

How handsome he was in those days!

The New Yorker

How handsome will Mr G be in the flesh?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

How clever he was, how handsome, how good in restaurants.

The Guardian

Mrs. Campos always had to tell him how handsome he was.

The New Yorker

Just look how handsome Beckham is, the class he has, the image.

The Guardian - Sport

She was particularly thrilled at how handsome he looked, because Jay and Harry had tricked her.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Everyone agreed to support my motion, and Abetz moved that the Senate officially recognise how handsome I am.

The Guardian - Opinion

"How handsome he was," one mourner told her, sitting in a formal mourning tent behind the house.

The New York Times

But above all you can't help noticing how handsome Patrick is.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "how handsome" to express genuine admiration, surprise, or appreciation of someone's physical appearance.

Common error

While "how handsome" is generally acceptable, be mindful of the formality of your writing. In highly formal or academic writing, consider more nuanced or descriptive language to convey the same sentiment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how handsome" functions primarily as an exclamatory expression used to emphasize the degree of someone's attractiveness. It often appears in narratives or personal accounts, as shown by Ludwig examples, to convey a speaker's reaction to someone's appearance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "how handsome" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to express admiration for someone's appearance. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is widespread, particularly in news and media contexts. While generally acceptable, consider the formality of your writing and audience; in highly formal settings, more descriptive language might be preferable. Remember that "how handsome" often conveys a sense of surprise or sudden realization about someone's attractiveness. While you can find alternatives such as "so attractive" or "what a handsome man", the original phrase remains a direct and effective way to express admiration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

What a handsome man

Changes the sentence structure to an exclamatory statement.

So attractive

Replaces "handsome" with a synonym focusing on general attractiveness.

Such a good-looking person

Uses a more descriptive phrase to describe appearance.

Remarkably attractive

Adds emphasis to the attractiveness.

Extremely appealing

Shifts focus to the appealing nature of the person's looks.

Strikingly beautiful

Highlights the striking and memorable nature of the beauty, though usually used for women.

Very gorgeous

Emphasizes the degree of attractiveness with a more modern term.

Quite the looker

Uses an informal, idiomatic expression.

A sight for sore eyes

Employs an idiom that suggests the person is pleasing to look at.

A picture of beauty

Uses a metaphor to describe the person's attractive appearance, although more typically used for women.

FAQs

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

You can use "how handsome" to express admiration or surprise. For example, "I couldn't help but notice "how handsome" he looked in his new suit."

What are some alternatives to "how handsome"?

Alternatives include "what a handsome man", "so attractive", or "such a good-looking person", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

While grammatically correct, using "how handsome" might be perceived as less formal. Consider the audience and context before using it in academic or professional settings. More descriptive phrases might be more suitable.

How does "how handsome" differ from "very handsome"?

"How handsome" is often used to express a sudden realization or observation, while "very handsome" is a more straightforward description. "How handsome" carries a sense of surprise or admiration.