what a day

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what a day" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express surprise and/or admiration for a situation or occurrence. For example: "What a day! I'm so proud to be a part of this amazing event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Well, what a day.

The Guardian

But what a day!

The New York Times - Magazine

What a day for Hampshire.

The Guardian - Sport

What a day to ski.

The New York Times - Travel

What a day yesterday, eh?

The Guardian - Sport

What a day it's been.

The Guardian

What a day yesterday was.

The Guardian - Travel

"What a day," DiFelice said.

The New York Times - Sports

6.19pm BST What a day.

The Guardian - Business

What a day for the big man.

The Guardian - Sport

"What a day for Minnesota!" he said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what a day" to punctuate a narrative or conversation, providing a concise summary of events or feelings experienced.

Common error

Avoid using "what a day" when a more specific description of the day's events would provide more clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "what a day" is as an exclamatory phrase. It serves to express a strong feeling or comment about the day that has passed. As shown in Ludwig, this exclamation is often used to punctuate the end of a recounting of events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Sport

20%

Travel

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "what a day" functions as an exclamatory expression used to encapsulate a feeling about a particular day, often indicating that it was eventful, significant, or memorable. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable in written English. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, showcasing its versatility in expressing a range of emotions from exhaustion to satisfaction. While generally neutral to informal in tone, it’s best to reserve its use for situations where a concise expression of sentiment is appropriate, rather than in formal contexts requiring detailed descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

What an eventful day

Emphasizes the number of events that occurred during the day.

What a remarkable day

Highlights the unusual or noteworthy quality of the day.

What a memorable day

Focuses on the day's lasting impact and the likelihood of it being remembered.

It's been quite a day

Indicates that the day was long, intense, or challenging.

What a day it's been

Reorders the phrase for emphasis, retaining the same meaning.

What a crazy day

Highlights the chaotic or unpredictable nature of the day.

What an extraordinary day

Emphasizes how exceptional the day was.

What a hectic day

Highlights the busy and rushed nature of the day.

What a challenging day

Focuses on the difficult or demanding aspects of the day.

What an unbelievable day

Expresses astonishment at the day's events.

FAQs

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

You can use "what a day" as a standalone exclamation to express surprise, relief, or exhaustion after a significant day. For example, "What a day! I finally finished the project."

What are some similar phrases to "what a day" that I can use?

Alternatives include phrases like "what an eventful day", "it's been quite a day", or "what a memorable day" depending on the context.

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

While grammatically correct, "what a day" is generally more suited for informal contexts. In formal writing, it's better to provide a more detailed description of the day's events.

What does the phrase "what a day" typically imply?

The phrase "what a day" generally implies that the day was either particularly good, particularly bad, or simply full of noteworthy events.