what a contrast

USAGE SUMMARY

"what a contrast" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to highlight the striking differences between two things. For example: "She wore a bright yellow dress, while her sister wore a deep blue one; what a contrast!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What a contrast from a year ago when England's cities burned in a week of riots.

The Guardian

What a contrast!

The New York Times

What a contrast at Hermès!

The New York Times

HONG KONG -- What a contrast!

The New York Times

What a contrast yesterday.

The New Yorker

And what a contrast.

The Guardian

And what a contrast emerges there.

The Economist

What a contrast to today.

The Guardian - Opinion

What a contrast to the United States.

The New York Times

What a contrast with his American guest.

The Guardian - Opinion

What a contrast to our situation this year!

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what a contrast" to introduce a surprising or notable difference between two elements to emphasize the impact of the distinction.

Common error

Avoid using "what a contrast" for trivial differences. Reserve it for situations where the distinction is significant and noteworthy.

Linguistic Context

"What a contrast" functions as an exclamatory interjection, used to express surprise or emphasis regarding a noticeable difference between two or more things. As Ludwig AI points out, it's a grammatically correct phrase. The numerous examples from Ludwig clearly show this function in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what a contrast" is a versatile exclamatory phrase used to highlight striking differences between two subjects. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely accepted. Its function, as illustrated by numerous examples, is to emphasize a significant disparity, often evoking surprise or interest. While suitable for various contexts, it is most commonly found in News & Media and Academia, maintaining a neutral register. When using "what a contrast", remember to reserve it for notable distinctions to maximize its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what a difference

Emphasizes the degree of dissimilarity, focusing on the extent to which things differ.

what a disparity

Highlights a significant inequality or imbalance between things.

what a divergence

Focuses on the point at which things begin to differ or move apart.

what a distinction

Draws attention to a clear and noticeable difference.

what an opposition

Stresses the contradictory or conflicting nature of two things.

what an inverse

Highlights a situation where one thing is the opposite of another.

what a reverse

Focuses on a complete turnaround or change of direction.

what a departure

Emphasizes a deviation from a norm or expectation.

what a contradiction

Highlights a statement or situation where two things are inconsistent.

how different

A more concise way to express the marked dissimilarity between two subjects.

FAQs

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

Use "what a contrast" to highlight a striking difference between two things. For example, "The bustling city and the tranquil countryside; what a contrast!"

What phrases are similar to "what a contrast"?

Similar phrases include "what a difference", "what a disparity", or "how different", all used to emphasize a notable distinction.

Is it appropriate to use "what a contrast" in formal writing?

Yes, "what a contrast" can be used in formal writing, but consider the tone and context. While grammatically correct, it is more expressive and might be replaced with a more subdued phrase like "a significant difference" for highly formal contexts.

What's the difference between "what a contrast" and "in contrast"?

"What a contrast" is an exclamatory phrase used to emphasize a striking difference, while "in contrast" is a transitional phrase used to introduce a comparison. For example: "The first painting was vibrant; in contrast, the second was muted. What a contrast!"