how jolly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "how jolly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a sense of cheerfulness or delight, often in a somewhat whimsical or old-fashioned manner. Example: "How jolly it is to see everyone gathered here for the celebration!"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

How jolly that could be.

The Guardian - Opinion

How jolly to play games and dress up.

The Guardian

"The dwarf of Casterly Rock!" How jolly, you might be thinking.

The New Yorker

Instead let's all have a laugh about how jolly it would be if we all skipped instead of walked.

The Guardian

I didn't know what to expect and I wasn't sure how jolly it would be but it was thoroughly charming.

The Guardian - Opinion

'Tis the season to be jolly, however, how jolly can you be when you have Christmas presents to buy but not much money to buy them with?

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Like other owners, Mr. Carini takes pleasure in recounting how the Jolly came to be, "a very cool story," in his words.

The New York Times

They have worked together for seven years, and he knows how to jolly her up and calm her down when the red carpet looms.

The New York Times - Magazine

A poet calling himself Satyrical Dick wrote how a "jolly wine-cooper" could combine a "pint of old port" with some rough Spanish wine and thus "could counterfeit claret the best of the sort".The owners of Ho Bryan were the Pontacs.

The Economist

The most egalitarian book, "What Mommies Do Best/What Daddies Do Best," is also the most human-free, featuring bicycling bears, shopping pigs, picnicking mice and other humorous animal scenes to show how many jolly things parents can do with their offspring.

The New York Times - Books

Murray's charm can be laddy – "She's mine for half an hour, mate," he chirruped to her fiance, "you've got her for life" – but he knows how to jolly people along and he got a great interview out of Pendleton, as well as a moving account from sprinter Allan Wells and a lively opener from the oldest Olympian, the sailor David Bond.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ "how jolly" to add a touch of vintage or whimsical charm to your writing, especially in informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "how jolly" in formal or professional writing. Its informal and somewhat old-fashioned tone can seem out of place in serious or business-related communications. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "how delightful" or "how pleasant" to maintain a professional demeanor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how jolly" functions primarily as an exclamatory expression, conveying a sense of cheerfulness, amusement, or delight. Ludwig examples show it often introduces a positive sentiment or reaction. As Ludwig AI says, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

13%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "how jolly" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that conveys a sense of cheerfulness or amusement. As noted by Ludwig AI, it adds a touch of whimsy and is often used in informal contexts. While less common in formal writing, its presence in news and media suggests it's a familiar expression. For alternatives, consider options like "how delightful" or "how pleasant" to maintain a more neutral tone in professional settings. Remember to use "how jolly" when aiming for a lighthearted and slightly old-fashioned expression of joy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how delightful

Emphasizes pleasure and charm more directly.

how cheerful

Highlights a sense of happiness and optimism.

how joyous

Conveys a deep sense of happiness and celebration.

how pleasant

Focuses on the agreeable and pleasing nature of something.

how wonderful

Expresses admiration and amazement.

how lovely

Suggests beauty and affection.

how amusing

Highlights the humorous or entertaining quality.

how gratifying

Focuses on the satisfying and rewarding nature.

how thrilling

Conveys excitement and exhilaration.

how charming

Emphasizes attractiveness and grace.

FAQs

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

"How jolly" can be used to express amusement or pleasure about a situation. For example, "how jolly it is to see everyone here!"

What can I say instead of "how jolly"?

You can use alternatives like "how delightful", "how cheerful", or "how pleasant" depending on the context.

Is "how jolly" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "how jolly" is generally better suited for informal contexts. In formal settings, consider using more neutral alternatives such as "how delightful".

What is the tone conveyed by the phrase "how jolly"?

"How jolly" conveys a lighthearted, cheerful, and slightly old-fashioned tone. It's often used to express amusement or a whimsical sense of delight.