what a brilliant idea

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what a brilliant idea" is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used to express admiration or enthusiasm for an idea. For example, "Ryan suggested we have a fundraiser to raise money for the homeless shelter. What a brilliant idea!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

What a brilliant idea!

Forbes

What a brilliant idea by East Kent College!

The Guardian - Travel

"I thought, what a brilliant idea to have a device in something as ordinary as a vacuum cleaner.

The New York Times

What a brilliant idea for those of us blessed with the unenviable knack of always picking the slowest queue to stand in.

The Guardian - Tech

So when I read this week that MEPs have been debating a proposal to hand out free InterRail passes to EU citizens on their 18th birthday, my first thought was: what a brilliant idea.

The Guardian - Opinion

BF: There's also The Illustrated Man, and what a brilliant idea.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Mr. Fentress mentioned that Vancouver International Airport has what strikes me as a brilliant idea: a bar in the baggage claim area, which might entice more friends and family to agree to the airport pick-up chore.

The New York Times - Travel

The larger of the two sites, BandSwapper, has been getting some recent blog coverage for what initially sounds like a brilliant idea.

TechCrunch

Threaded through her novel Friday Brown, Wakefield revealed, was "what I thought was a brilliant idea, but not a single person has ever noticed".

The Guardian

What had once seemed like a brilliant idea -- carriers' buying and selling future access on those fiber networks to meet expected customer demand -- became a swap meet unto itself, with its own peculiar bookkeeping.

The New York Times

But then the team had a brilliant idea: What if it gave its couriers pre-paid debit cards, which would let them purchase goods for customers and then deliver them anywhere in the city?

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what a brilliant idea" to express genuine enthusiasm, but avoid overuse, which can make your praise sound insincere. Vary your expressions of approval to maintain authenticity and impact.

Common error

While "what a brilliant idea" is effective, avoid using it repetitively in close succession. This can diminish its impact and make your communication seem less genuine. Instead, incorporate a variety of expressions such as "that's ingenious", "that's remarkable", or "that's innovative" to maintain interest and sincerity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what a brilliant idea" functions primarily as an exclamatory expression. It conveys strong approval, admiration, or enthusiasm for a suggestion, plan, or concept. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what a brilliant idea" is an exclamatory phrase used to express strong approval or admiration. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and suitability for various contexts, primarily appearing in News & Media. While effective, it's advisable to vary your expressions of approval to avoid sounding repetitive or insincere. Alternatives such as "that's ingenious" or "what a fantastic idea" can maintain authenticity and impact. Remember to tailor your language to the specific context, opting for more formal expressions in professional settings. By understanding its function and usage, you can effectively communicate your appreciation and encourage further development of promising ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what an ingenious concept

Replaces "brilliant" with "ingenious" to emphasize the cleverness and originality of the idea.

what a fantastic notion

Substitutes "brilliant" with "fantastic" and "idea" with "notion", adding a touch of enthusiasm.

what a clever thought

Replaces "brilliant" with "clever" and "idea" with "thought", highlighting the intelligence behind the idea.

that's an exceptional concept

Uses "exceptional" instead of "brilliant", presenting a more formal and emphatic tone.

that's a remarkable idea

Replaces "brilliant" with "remarkable" to convey a sense of something noteworthy and impressive.

how very innovative

Focuses on the innovative aspect of the idea, removing the explicit mention of "idea".

how absolutely inspired

Emphasizes the inspirational quality of the idea, conveying a strong sense of admiration.

what a stroke of genius

Uses a more idiomatic expression to highlight the brilliance of the idea as a result of genius.

that's pure inspiration

Highlights the inspirational aspect, implying the idea is exceptionally creative and imaginative.

that is truly inventive

Highlights the inventive nature of the idea, suitable in contexts that value uniqueness and creativity.

FAQs

How can I use "what a brilliant idea" in a sentence?

Use "what a brilliant idea" as an exclamation to show strong approval or admiration for a suggestion or plan. For example, "Let's implement a four-day work week! What a brilliant idea!"

What are some alternatives to "what a brilliant idea"?

You can use alternatives like "what a fantastic idea", "what a clever idea", or "that's ingenious" to express similar sentiments.

Is "what a brilliant idea" formal or informal?

"What a brilliant idea" is generally considered informal and is best suited for casual conversations or less formal writing. For professional settings, consider more formal expressions like "that's an innovative approach".

When is it appropriate to use "what a brilliant idea"?

It's appropriate to use "what a brilliant idea" when you genuinely appreciate and want to commend a creative, innovative, or effective suggestion or plan. Avoid using it sarcastically or insincerely.