what a competition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what a competition" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express admiration or surprise about the level or intensity of a competition. Example: "After watching the finals, I can confidently say, what a competition it was this year!"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Discussion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The real competition – and what a competition it turned out to be – didn't get going until the weekend, when Mediate and Westwood got involved.

The Guardian - Sport

To be fair, it's impossible to say what a competition series will be like from just the opening audition episode, a two-hour blur of choreographed humiliation and tear-jerking back stories.

The New York Times - Arts

What a competition.

BBC

What a competition and what a game - the match of the tournament so far". So when Giovinco - a first-half substitute for Alberto Aquilani in an opening period dominated by Asia's champions - popped up to tuck in Claudio Marchisio's cross four minutes from time it was a crushing blow for the team that had showed the greater enterprise over 90 minutes.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Raiders, fans and players alike, seemed to be everywhere, and most who took a moment to watch the game itself would have walked away with a view of what a clinical competition contender actually looks like.

The Guardian - Sport

"We want to redefine what a music competition can give to young performers as well as audiences," said Lewis, who also stressed that the competition needed to nurture its winners in the long term to help them develop lasting careers.

The Guardian - Music

What a great competition".

The New York Times - Sports

Nicole Goodwin, an Army veteran, read a lyrical piece on what a drill competition taught her about striving for perfection and learning to trust, obey and believe.

The New York Times

"Their valuable support underlines what a great competition the FA Cup is and how important it is to the sporting calendar.

BBC

"It's amazing what a little competition will do," Mr. Gibson said, noting that city employees had stepped up their sanitation efforts.

The New York Times

It's amazing what a little competition can do.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what a competition" to express genuine excitement or admiration for the level of competition displayed. It's most effective when the competition has been particularly engaging or impressive.

Common error

Avoid using "what a competition" in highly formal or academic writing. While grammatically correct, it may sound too informal. Opt for more professional alternatives like "the competition was remarkable" or "the event was highly competitive".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what a competition" primarily functions as an exclamation. According to Ludwig AI, it expresses admiration, excitement, or surprise about a competitive event. This phrase underscores the remarkable nature of the competition.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what a competition" is an exclamatory phrase used to express excitement or admiration for a competitive event. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct. While suitable for general conversation and news reporting, it may be less appropriate in formal writing. Consider alternatives like "what an event" or "fantastic competition" depending on the desired level of formality and context. The phrase is mostly found in News & Media and Sports contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what an event

Replaces "competition" with a more general term for an organized occurrence.

what a contest

Uses a synonym for "competition" to convey a similar meaning.

incredible competition

Replaces the exclamation with a descriptive adjective to show admiration.

amazing competition

Emphasizes the impressive nature of the competition.

remarkable competition

Highlights the noteworthy aspects of the competition.

unbelievable competition

Conveys astonishment at the intensity or quality of the competition.

fantastic competition

Expresses high praise for the competition.

thrilling competition

Focuses on the exciting and suspenseful nature of the competition.

outstanding competition

Highlights the exceptional quality of the competition.

what a showdown

Uses a different noun to describe a dramatic or decisive competition.

FAQs

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

"What a competition" is typically used as an exclamation to express admiration or surprise. For example: "After watching the finals, I can confidently say, "what a competition" it was this year!"

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

You can use alternatives like "what an event" or "what a contest" to express a similar sentiment, depending on the context.

Is "what a competition" suitable for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "what a competition" is generally considered informal. In formal writing, it's best to use phrases like "the competition was remarkable" or "the event was highly competitive".

When is it most appropriate to use "what a competition"?

It is most appropriate to use "what a competition" when you want to express genuine enthusiasm or admiration for the intensity or quality of a competition you have witnessed.