what a commitment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what a commitment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express admiration or surprise at the level of dedication someone has shown towards a task or responsibility. Example: "After hearing about her decision to volunteer every weekend for the next year, I thought to myself, what a commitment!"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Buying the house had made her realize what a commitment it all was, even more so than being married.

The New York Times

As she mulled over what a commitment to this relationship might portend, her father, Ulysses Davis, who lives with the bride's mother in Raleigh, N.C., became his daughter's confidante.

The New York Times

Ads for New York Life promote what a "commitment to our policy holders and their peace of mind" while repeating the words "financial strength" four times — including the first two words of the headlines.

The New York Times

I said to him, 'Let's make it Christmas, Valentine, birthday.' He said, 'You've already cashed in until you're ninety.' " Bass said that she was thrilled with Gelb's attempts to bring a new audience into the Met, and that she understood what a commitment a night out at the opera could be.

The New Yorker

With the military collapse in S. Vietnam and the diplomatic collapse in the Middle East-two areas where American commitments have been heavy in recent years-the question of exactly what a "commitment" is when it is undertaken by a democratic country is being raised on all sides.

The New Yorker

By Jonathan Schell The New Yorker, April 7 , 1975P. 31 With the military collapse in S. Vietnam and the diplomatic collapse in the Middle East-two areas where American commitments have been heavy in recent years-the question of exactly what a "commitment" is when it is undertaken by a democratic country is being raised on all sides.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

But housing advocates say the affordable-housing program has been in such disarray in recent years that it has been difficult to determine what projects qualify and what constitutes a commitment.

The New York Times

"But afterward, I realized what a huge commitment it was, and how it has totally changed my life".

The New York Times

I put to the side the fact that neither the Court nor the record explains exactly what a "nonbinding commitment" is.

Cornell University

What a continuing commitment of 15 brigades — more than 130,000 troops — would mean for the Army as a whole is said to be a major concern of General Casey, among others on the joint staff.

The New York Times

The EU then countered that they couldn't say yes or no until technical details of what a second commitment period might look like had been nailed down.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context to determine if a more formal alternative, such as "that's a significant undertaking", would be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "what a commitment" in highly formal or professional settings where a more measured tone is expected. Opt for phrases like "that requires considerable dedication" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what a commitment" functions as an exclamatory expression, typically used to convey a strong sense of admiration, surprise, or recognition regarding someone's dedication to a task or responsibility. As per Ludwig AI, it is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what a commitment" is a common exclamatory phrase used to express admiration or surprise at someone's dedication. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While versatile, it's important to consider the context; more formal situations may warrant alternatives like "that requires considerable dedication". As evidenced by its frequency in news and media, it is used in a wide array of settings. Remember that while "what a commitment" is useful for expressing admiration, overuse in formal contexts can sound out of place.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what a dedication

A direct synonym focusing on the admirable quality of dedication.

what extraordinary dedication

Uses a stronger adjective to amplify the admiration.

how very dedicated

Expresses a high degree of admiration for someone's dedication.

such a dedication

Emphasizes the quality of being dedicated rather than the act of committing.

that's a serious commitment

Highlights the gravity or significance of the commitment.

that's quite a commitment

More descriptive and less exclamatory than the original.

that shows real dedication

Shifts the focus to the display of dedication.

that's a huge undertaking

Focuses on the scale and effort involved in the commitment.

how truly committed

Highlights the person's state of being committed.

such a strong resolve

Emphasizes the firmness of decision and determination.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "what a commitment" to sound more formal?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases such as "that requires considerable dedication", "that's a significant undertaking", or "that demonstrates a strong sense of responsibility".

What's a less enthusiastic way to express "what a commitment"?

If you want to express a similar idea without strong enthusiasm, try "that's quite an undertaking" or "that involves a significant investment of time".

When is it appropriate to use "what a commitment" in writing?

This phrase is suitable for expressing admiration or surprise in informal to neutral contexts, such as personal communications, blogs, or articles aiming for a conversational tone. Avoid it in highly formal reports or academic papers.

Are there synonyms for "commitment" that I can use to vary my writing?

Yes, depending on the context, you can use words like "dedication", "resolve", "undertaking", or "responsibility". For example, instead of saying "what a commitment", you could say "what "a dedication"" or "what "a resolve"".