what a crap

USAGE SUMMARY

No, the phrase 'what a crap' is not considered to be correct or acceptable written English.
In formal writing, it should not be used. In informal writing, it is acceptable to use phrases like 'what a crap' in certain contexts, such as when writing personal thoughts or reflections. For example, you might write, "I had a really bad day at work - what a crap!".

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

What a crap shoot that is.

The New York Times

What a crap, over-commercialised sport.

The Guardian - Sport

What a crap Sunday Since my Sunday evening got ruined with no @BBC_TopGear I've decided to watch an old one instead!

Independent

Taken together, the reflections show what a crap shoot it can be for parents to stake all their chips on just one number.

The New York Times

"There was a governor who constantly sought to derail meetings, reducing other members of the governing body to tears; a community member, not a parent, who would stand at the gates handing out leaflets saying what a crap school Anderton Park was," and days when female Muslim members of staff were confronted outside by someone saying "where is your headscarf, sister?".

The Guardian

What's truly depressing from the American perspective is not just what a crap metric we are.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

'What would a crap, local version of the Oscars be like?' perhaps.

The Guardian - Film

If you follow the news, you're probably aware of what an enormous crap sandwich the past few weeks have been around the world.

Huffington Post

What a load of crap.

Harvard University

I mean, what a load of crap.

The Guardian - Sport

So when you get a B from us, B doesn't mean what a piece of crap.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, avoid using the phrase "what a crap". Opt for more professional and articulate alternatives to convey disapproval or disappointment.

Common error

Do not use "what a crap" in professional emails or academic papers. Choose alternatives like "how unfortunate" or "that's unacceptable" for a more suitable tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what a crap" functions as an exclamatory expression used to convey strong disapproval, frustration, or disappointment. It is a subjective assessment of something deemed to be of very poor quality or undesirable. Ludwig AI identifies this as grammatically incorrect for formal usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "what a crap" is an informal expression used to convey strong disapproval or disappointment. While found in News & Media sources, Ludwig AI marks it as grammatically incorrect for formal usage. It's best reserved for casual settings, with more formal alternatives like "how unfortunate" being more appropriate in professional or academic contexts. Related phrases include "what a load of rubbish" and "how awful", offering similar sentiments with varying degrees of intensity and formality. This analysis highlights the importance of considering context and audience when choosing the right words.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what a load of rubbish

Replaces 'crap' with 'rubbish', both referring to something of poor quality or nonsense.

what a terrible thing

Substitutes 'crap' with 'terrible thing', focusing on the negative aspect of the situation.

what a waste

Highlights the feeling that something has been squandered or is pointless.

what a joke

Implies that something is ridiculous or not to be taken seriously.

how awful

Expresses strong disapproval or dislike.

how dreadful

Similar to 'how awful', conveying a sense of unpleasantness or poor quality.

what a mess

Indicates a state of disorder or a problematic situation.

that's awful

A more direct statement expressing disapproval or finding something unpleasant.

that's terrible

Synonymous with 'that's awful', emphasizing the negative nature of something.

what a disappointment

Focuses on the feeling of unmet expectations or disillusionment.

FAQs

What's a more formal way to express disappointment than "what a crap"?

Consider using phrases like "how unfortunate", "that's regrettable", or "that is disappointing" for a more professional tone. For example, instead of saying "The presentation was a failure, what a crap", you could say, "The presentation was a failure, that is quite disappointing".

When is it appropriate to use "what a crap"?

This phrase is generally only appropriate in informal settings, such as casual conversations with close friends or personal journal entries. Avoid using it in professional, academic, or public contexts.

What are some synonyms for "what a crap" that still convey strong disapproval?

You could use phrases like "what a load of rubbish", "how awful", or "what a disappointment" depending on the specific context and the emotion you want to emphasize.

Is "what a crap" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "what a crap" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. While it is used informally, it does not adhere to formal grammatical rules and should be avoided in professional writing.