what a clash

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what a clash" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express surprise or emphasis regarding a conflict or disagreement between two parties, ideas, or events. Example: "When the two rival teams met in the finals, it was truly what a clash of titans."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

What a clash of attacking ideology – Sherwood's preference for an old faithful 4-4-2, with EmmAdebayorebandRoberto Soldadooldado in tandem, versus Wenger's ambiguously false nine.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

They were from the same country, but what a culture clash!

The New York Times

The hope of the digital age and the acceptance of the modern-day-stone-age... What a curious clash!

Huffington Post

I don't need to know who played what on a Clash album to love it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

What a shame the Clash couldn't modify their famous hit to sing over the opening credits.

The Guardian - Film

In truth, this intensity is exactly what a Jets-Mariners clash needs right now, and it couldn't have come at a better time.

The Guardian - Sport

The uncertainties of migration in rich countries result, she notes, from a clash between the democratic will of voters, often hostile, with the rule of law, "which makes excessive exclusion impossible".Missing, too, is some sense of what a solution to this clash might be.

The Economist

But what looks like a clash between parliamentary sovereignty and fundamental rights is in fact just a new front in an old political battle.

The Economist

Far from representing what you call "a clash of two ideologies," the debate focused on who would most sensibly implement the G.O.P. agenda of cutting taxes while somehow balancing the budget.

The New York Times

In what some call a clash between blue collars and blue bloods, many of Yale's workers grew up in New Haven resenting Yale, feeling that it symbolized wealth and arrogance.

The New York Times

What started as a clash between a new leftwing anti-austerity government in Athens and German fiscal hawks in February quickly spread into Greek isolation ranged against the other 18 countries of the eurozone, largely because of what was seen as know-it-all grandstanding by Varoufakis.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what a clash" to express surprise or emphasis when describing a situation involving conflict or strong disagreement. It is particularly effective when the conflict is unexpected or intense.

Common error

Avoid using "what a clash" in highly formal or academic writing. While grammatically correct, its informal tone might be inappropriate. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "significant conflict" or "major disagreement".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what a clash" functions as an exclamatory phrase, expressing surprise or emphasis regarding a conflict or disagreement. It is used to highlight the intensity or unexpected nature of a situation, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what a clash" is an exclamatory phrase used to express surprise or emphasis regarding a conflict or disagreement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, though it's relatively rare and more common in news and media contexts. For more formal writing, consider alternatives like "significant conflict". This phrase is a useful way to highlight the intensity or unexpected nature of a situation, making it a versatile addition to your vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what a conflict

Replaces "clash" with a direct synonym, "conflict", maintaining a similar meaning but sounding slightly more formal.

what a confrontation

Substitutes "clash" with "confrontation", emphasizing a more direct and aggressive encounter.

what a collision

Replaces "clash" with "collision", suggesting a more abrupt and forceful encounter.

what a battle

Uses "battle" instead of "clash", intensifying the sense of conflict and struggle.

what a showdown

Replaces "clash" with "showdown", implying a decisive confrontation.

what a face-off

Substitutes "clash" with "face-off", suggesting a direct confrontation, often used in sports contexts.

what an encounter

Uses "encounter" instead of "clash", focusing on the meeting or interaction, rather than the conflict.

what a struggle

Replaces "clash" with "struggle", highlighting the difficulty and effort involved in the conflict.

what a disagreement

Replaces "clash" with "disagreement", softening the tone to emphasize a difference of opinion.

what an opposition

Uses "opposition" instead of "clash", focusing on the resistance or contrast between the parties involved.

FAQs

How can I use "what a clash" in a sentence?

You can use "what a clash" to express surprise or emphasis regarding a conflict or disagreement, such as, "When the two rival teams met in the finals, it was truly what a clash of titans".

What can I say instead of "what a clash"?

You can use alternatives like "what a conflict", "what a confrontation", or "what a collision" depending on the context.

Is "what a clash" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "what a clash" is generally more suited for informal contexts. In formal writing, consider alternatives like "significant disagreement" or "major conflict".

What's the difference between "what a clash" and "what a conflict"?

"What a clash" and "what a conflict" are similar in meaning, but "what a clash" may imply a more abrupt or forceful encounter, while "what a conflict" is a more general term for disagreement or opposition.