impressed at how

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "impressed at how" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing admiration or surprise regarding a particular situation or action. Example: "I was impressed at how quickly she solved the complex problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I'm very impressed at how hard he works.

The New York Times - Sports

We were very impressed at how Alex reacted to the challenge".

Independent

I was impressed at how fearless they were when they were given a chance," he says.

Cornell University

"I really am impressed at how he was committed," he said.

The Washington Post

"I really have been impressed at how collegial the atmosphere is," she replied.

The New Yorker

Ms. Gat said she was nonetheless impressed at how few disaster cases turned up.

The New York Times - Arts

In the week that I've been testing the 5s, I've been impressed at how much faster everything – everything – moves.

Independent

If you came to work with me, you would be so impressed at how receptive people are at the agency.

The Washington Post

"We are really impressed at how good the public paper is, given their input data," he said.

The New York Times

(When Bryan Singer, who directed the pilot, first looked at Mr. Laurie's audition tape he was impressed at how this obscure American actor had latched onto the character).

The New York Times - Arts

In retrospect I was impressed at how my answers revealed much more than I realized, an experience I found as disconcerting as it was fascinating.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, follow "impressed at how" with a specific detail about the action or quality that impressed you. E.g., "I was impressed at how quickly he adapted to the new role."

Common error

While "impressed at how" is a valid expression, avoid using it repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language by using alternatives like "amazed by how" or "struck by how" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "impressed at how" functions as an adjectival phrase expressing admiration or surprise. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability. It modifies a clause by indicating the reason for the impression, often highlighting a specific quality or action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "impressed at how" is a versatile and grammatically correct way to express admiration or surprise. As Ludwig confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. To enhance your writing, consider using specific details after the phrase and avoiding overuse. Alternatives like "amazed by how" or "struck by how" can provide variety. Using "impressed at how" effectively allows you to convey genuine appreciation while maintaining clarity and engagement in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

amazed by how

Emphasizes a strong feeling of surprise and wonder, rather than just simple admiration.

struck by how

Implies a sudden realization or impact, more forceful than simply being impressed.

astonished at how

Suggests a greater level of surprise and disbelief.

in awe of how

Conveys a sense of reverence and respect, often used for extraordinary achievements.

taken aback by how

Highlights the unexpected nature of the situation or action.

surprised by the extent to which

Focuses on the degree or magnitude of something unexpected.

impressed with the manner in which

More formal and emphasizes the method or way something was done.

admiring of the way

Highlights appreciation for the specific approach or method used.

bowled over by

An informal alternative expressing great enthusiasm and excitement.

mind blown by

An informal way to say the situation impressed a lot

FAQs

How can I use "impressed at how" in a sentence?

Use "impressed at how" to convey admiration or surprise. For example, "I was impressed at how efficiently the team completed the project."

What can I say instead of "impressed at how"?

You can use alternatives like "amazed by how", "struck by how", or "astonished at how" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "impressed at how" and "impressed by how"?

While both are acceptable, "impressed at how" is slightly more common. The nuance is subtle; "at how" often emphasizes a specific action or quality, while "by how" can refer to a broader aspect.

When is it appropriate to use "impressed at how" in writing?

It's appropriate in both formal and informal writing when you want to express genuine admiration or surprise about someone's skill, behavior, or an unexpected outcome. Avoid using it excessively.