how lovely

USAGE SUMMARY

"how lovely" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is most commonly used to express appreciation of something or someone. For example, "The sunset was how lovely."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Elizabeth: (sighs) How lovely. . . .

The New Yorker

"Beate Pappenheim... how lovely".

The Guardian - Books

'Oooh, how lovely......

The Guardian - Travel

How lovely that sounds".

The New Yorker

"How lovely," I say.

The Guardian - Books

Oh, how lovely.

The Guardian - Opinion

"How lovely all that is!" Teresa murmured.

The New Yorker

"How lovely," he said with a sigh.

The New York Times

Shaznay: How lovely was that?

The Guardian - Music

Do you say, how lovely?

The Guardian - Opinion

How lovely, the bright-patterned floor.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "how lovely" to express genuine appreciation or delight. It works well in informal and semi-formal contexts to convey a positive sentiment.

Common error

Avoid using "how lovely" in highly formal or professional settings where a more sophisticated expression of approval might be more appropriate. Alternatives like "how delightful" or "how impressive" may be better suited.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how lovely" functions as an exclamatory expression used to convey a positive emotion, such as delight, appreciation, or admiration. It is often used as a response to something pleasing or agreeable, as demonstrated in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Wiki

23%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

3%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "how lovely" is a commonly used phrase to express delight or appreciation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical structure. It finds frequent usage in News & Media and Wiki contexts, it serves to share positive sentiments, though care should be taken to avoid overuse in formal settings. Alternatives such as "how delightful" or "how wonderful" may be more appropriate in those cases. The phrase is widely understood and effectively conveys a speaker's positive feelings towards a subject.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how wonderful

Emphasizes a sense of wonder and delight, slightly stronger than "how lovely".

how delightful

Highlights the pleasant and enjoyable nature of something, similar to "how lovely".

how charming

Suggests a pleasing and attractive quality, focusing on the appeal of something.

how pleasant

Indicates a gentle and agreeable quality, suitable for describing a mild satisfaction.

how beautiful

Emphasizes the aesthetic appeal of something, focusing on its visual attractiveness.

how gorgeous

Highlights the striking beauty and attractiveness of something or someone, more intense than "how lovely".

how exquisite

Implies a refined and delicate beauty, often used for art or craftsmanship.

how divine

Suggests a supremely pleasing or excellent quality, often used for food or experiences.

how magnificent

Emphasizes grandeur and impressiveness, suitable for describing landscapes or achievements.

how precious

Indicates something is highly valued or cherished, adding an element of sentimentality.

FAQs

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

You can use "how lovely" to express delight or appreciation, such as "How lovely to see you again!" or "How lovely the flowers look in your garden!"

What's a more formal alternative to "how lovely"?

In more formal settings, consider using phrases like "how delightful" or "how wonderful" to express a similar sentiment with a slightly elevated tone.

Is "how lovely" appropriate for professional communication?

"How lovely" is generally suitable for friendly or semi-formal professional communication. For more formal contexts, consider alternatives that convey the same positive sentiment with increased formality.

What's the difference between "how lovely" and "how beautiful"?

"How lovely" generally conveys a sense of general delight or appreciation, while "how beautiful" specifically emphasizes aesthetic appeal.