how marvellous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "how marvellous" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express admiration or wonder about something that is considered impressive or excellent. Example: "The view from the top of the mountain was how marvellous, leaving us all in awe of nature's beauty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

On paper, how marvellous.

The Guardian - Music

How marvellous, eh Boris?

The Guardian

How marvellous that would be.

The Guardian

How marvellous, and how utterly incomprehensible!

The New Yorker

How marvellous, in a horrible way".

The New Yorker

"Telling each other how marvellous they are!" she said.

The New Yorker

Behind their eyes is the thought: "How marvellous this is!

The New Yorker

How rich all this is, how marvellous, how alive.

The Guardian - Arts

How marvellous of Lily to take Jane's hand and kiss it.

The New Yorker

How marvellous to have the reasons for every note so clearly understood.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Today I told her that I had been here when I was 14 and she said, 'how marvellous'".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "how marvellous" to express genuine surprise or delight at an unexpected positive outcome or impressive feat. It adds a touch of British English flair to your writing.

Common error

While "how marvellous" is widely understood, avoid overusing it in highly formal or business writing, as it can sometimes come across as overly enthusiastic or affected. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "how impressive" or "how remarkable" in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how marvellous" primarily functions as an exclamatory expression. It serves to convey a sense of wonder, delight, or strong approval. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase to express admiration.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Opinion

6%

Arts

4%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Books

0.5%

Travel

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "how marvellous" is a versatile phrase used to express strong positive feelings of admiration and delight. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, though overuse in overly formal settings should be avoided. The phrase sees very common use in News & Media, as it reflects approval or excitement about events. While alternatives such as "how wonderful" and "how fantastic" exist, "how marvellous" offers a distinctly British flavor and touch of enthusiasm to your writing. By understanding its proper usage and potential pitfalls, you can effectively incorporate "how marvellous" into your vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how wonderful

Emphasizes a feeling of delight and pleasure, similar to "how marvellous" but with a slightly more common usage.

how fantastic

Conveys a sense of great admiration and excitement, similar in intensity to "how marvellous".

how splendid

Highlights the impressive and excellent nature of something, akin to "how marvellous" but slightly more formal.

how delightful

Focuses on the pleasing and charming aspect, sharing a sense of joy with "how marvellous".

how magnificent

Emphasizes grandeur and impressiveness, providing a more dramatic alternative to "how marvellous".

how extraordinary

Stresses the exceptional and remarkable nature, offering a heightened sense of wonder compared to "how marvellous".

how remarkable

Highlights the noteworthy and significant quality, similar in tone to "how marvellous".

how exceptional

Emphasizes the rarity and superiority of something, similar to "how marvellous" but with a focus on being an exception.

how impressive

Focuses on the ability to evoke admiration and respect, slightly more direct than "how marvellous".

how sublime

Suggests a sense of awe-inspiring beauty and excellence, presenting a more elevated alternative to "how marvellous".

FAQs

What situations are best to use the phrase "how marvellous"?

The phrase "how marvellous" is ideal for expressing delight, surprise, or admiration, especially in informal or creative writing. It adds a touch of British English flair and can convey genuine enthusiasm. For example, you might say, "How marvellous! They actually managed to finish the project on time."

Are there any synonyms for "how marvellous" that I can use?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "how wonderful", "how fantastic", or "how splendid" depending on the context and the degree of enthusiasm you want to convey.

Is "how marvellous" formal or informal?

The phrase leans towards the informal side but can be used in neutral contexts as well. In highly formal or business settings, consider alternatives like "how impressive" or "how remarkable".

How can I avoid overusing the phrase "how marvellous"?

To avoid overuse, vary your expressions of admiration. Consider using phrases like "that's incredible", "that's amazing", or simply describe what impressed you directly. For example, instead of "How marvellous!", you could say "That's an incredible achievement".