what a great

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what a great" is incomplete and would not be considered correct or usable in written English as-is.
However, it can be used as part of a sentence or question when preceded with a noun or descriptive phrase. For example: "What a great day for a picnic!".

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"What a great moment".

The New York Times

What a great concept!

The New Yorker

What a great finish.

The New York Times

What a great idea".

The Guardian - Film

What a great philosophy.

The New York Times

What a great image.

The New Yorker

What a great book!

The New Yorker

"What a great night.

The New York Times

What a great game.

The New York Times

What a great slogan.

The New York Times - Magazine

What a great guy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what a great" to express genuine enthusiasm or admiration for something. Ensure the context aligns with a positive sentiment.

Common error

Avoid using "what a great" in highly formal writing or professional documents. Opt for more sophisticated expressions of approval like "remarkable" or "exceptional".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what a great" functions as an exclamatory expression of admiration or approval. It emphasizes the positive qualities of something. As noted by Ludwig AI, it requires completion with a noun to form a full sentence or exclamation. The Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what a great" serves as a versatile exclamatory phrase to express strong positive emotions, primarily used in neutral to informal contexts. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is commonly found in news and media, offering a straightforward means to convey enthusiasm or approval. While grammatically sound when completed with a noun, avoid using it in highly formal writing, opting instead for more refined expressions. Remember to use the phrase to express genuine sentiments, ensuring the context aligns with the positive tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

What a superb

Replaces "great" with a synonym indicating high quality or excellence.

What a brilliant

Uses "brilliant" to emphasize intelligence or exceptional skill.

What a magnificent

Emphasizes grandeur and impressiveness.

What a fabulous

Expresses enthusiasm and delight, similar to "great".

What a gorgeous

Replaces "great" with a word that focuses on visual beauty.

What a cool

Indicates something is trendy, impressive, or stylish.

What a sweet

Indicates something is pleasing or delightful, often in a gentle way.

What a formidable

Emphasizes the strength or power of something.

What a vast

Emphasizes the extent or scale of something impressive.

What a huge

Highlights the size or importance of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "what a great" followed by a noun to express admiration or enthusiasm. For example, "What a great idea!", "What a great performance!", or "What a great opportunity!"

Are there more formal alternatives to "what a great"?

Yes, depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "what a "superb"", "what a "magnificent"", or "what a "remarkable"" to convey a similar sentiment in a more formal tone.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "what a great"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to start a sentence with "what a great" when expressing admiration or enthusiasm. This is an exclamatory sentence structure.

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

It is appropriate to use "what a great" in informal and semi-formal contexts, such as casual conversations, blog posts, or expressing personal opinions. Avoid using it in formal reports or academic papers where more sophisticated language is expected.