how wise that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "how wise that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express admiration or approval for someone's decision or insight, often in a somewhat ironic or rhetorical manner. Example: "How wise that you chose to invest in renewable energy; it shows foresight and responsibility."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Not sure how wise that is given that the new ball is now due … 4.28pm BST 79th over: England 179-7 (Ali 61, Jordan 10) Herath sends down a maiden at Jordan.

The Guardian - Sport

How wise that is to announce it on the same day as the new iPod, we'll see.

TechCrunch

Those who rushed out to buy the first-generation iPad, for example, were left to ponder quite how wise that decision was when the device became slow and prone to crashes, because of its relatively meagre RAM memory.

BBC

And we're now seeing how wise that strategy has been.

Vice

But if you were going to assess how wise that person is, what qualities would you consider?

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"The other part of it is just purely technically and tactically - how wise is that person to be able to organise a structure - the team on the park and again we're seeing substitutions happening here that do make a difference.

BBC

But hopefully, no one really believes that this is some long term salvation whose current sales prove how infinitely wise that decision was.

Huffington Post

It was only later that we realized how wise a statement that was.

The New York Times

"In all frankness, I am concerned about certain protectionist tendencies resurfacing in the EU... How wise it is that the European Commission invents an 'anti-Gazprom clause' to keep investments which are so needed for more efficient satisfaction of raising demand".

Independent

Tipping your artist is wise; that is how they make their money.

WikiHow

How wise, given its history, was that?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "how wise that" when you want to express admiration or approval of a decision, often with a hint of irony or after the benefits of the decision are evident. It is especially effective when highlighting foresight.

Common error

Avoid using "how wise that" in overly formal or academic writing. While grammatically correct, it can sound slightly colloquial. Opt for more direct and formal alternatives like "that was a prudent decision" or "the decision proved insightful" in such settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how wise that" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun phrase (often implied). It typically introduces a clause expressing admiration or, sometimes, ironic appreciation for a decision or action. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

12%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "how wise that" serves as an adjectival phrase that introduces an expression of admiration or irony toward a decision, most often after it has been implemented. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and most commonly used in news and media contexts. When writing, using alternatives like "how astute that was" or "how insightful that proved" can add subtle variations in tone. While correct, avoid excessive use in highly formal settings for a more polished effect. Overall, "how wise that" offers a versatile way to offer a commentary on actions and decisions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how astute that was

Replaces "wise" with "astute", focusing on cleverness and shrewdness. It slightly elevates the formality of the phrase.

how insightful that proved

Replaces "wise" with "insightful", emphasizing the depth of understanding demonstrated by the decision. This alternative focuses on the ability to perceive the underlying nature of things.

how judicious that turned out

Replaces "wise" with "judicious", highlighting the careful and considered nature of the decision-making process. It implies a balance of factors were weighed.

how prudent that action was

Replaces "wise" with "prudent", stressing caution and foresight in avoiding risks. This alternative underscores the avoidance of negative consequences.

how sagacious that choice seems

Replaces "wise" with "sagacious", suggesting profound wisdom and judgment, often gained through experience. It adds a layer of gravitas.

how clever that was

Focuses on the ingenuity and quick-wittedness of the decision. It is less about long-term wisdom and more about immediate intelligence.

how smart that decision was

A more general and informal way of expressing approval of the decision, focusing on overall intelligence rather than specific wisdom.

in retrospect, that was wise

Shifts the focus to hindsight, acknowledging the wisdom of the decision after the consequences are known. It emphasizes the benefit of time.

with the benefit of hindsight, that was a wise move

Emphasizes that the wisdom of the decision is only apparent after the passage of time. This alternative is more explicit about the advantage of hindsight.

that turned out to be a wise decision

A more straightforward way of stating that a past decision has proven to be wise, emphasizing the positive outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "how wise that" in a sentence?

You can use "how wise that" to express admiration or ironic approval for a decision, especially after its positive outcomes are realized. For example, "How wise that we invested in renewable energy before the prices of fossil fuels skyrocketed!"

What are some alternatives to "how wise that"?

Alternatives include "how astute that was", "how insightful that proved", or "how prudent that action was", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "how wise that" formal or informal?

The phrase "how wise that" leans towards a neutral to slightly informal register. While grammatically correct, it might be more suitable for news articles, opinion pieces, or conversational contexts rather than highly formal academic papers.

When is it appropriate to use "how wise that"?

It's appropriate when you want to subtly highlight the wisdom of a decision, often with a touch of irony or after the benefits have become clear. Consider the audience and context to ensure it aligns with the overall tone.