what a horror

USAGE SUMMARY

"what a horror" is a perfectly correct phrase that can be used in written English.
Example: "The man's story was so harrowing, I couldn't help thinking 'what a horror' it must have been for him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

It personifies what a horror movie is about.

The New York Times

P.R.: What a horror -- no! It's always been a collection of energy.

The New York Times - Magazine

We all know what a horror show the current applications frenzy has become for many students.

The New York Times

Pochettino's team took the lead early on, and what a horror story it was for Aleksandar Kolarov.

The Guardian - Sport

"What a horror," said Camille Mouries, a librarian at the National Audiovisual Institute, pointing to the colorful Siemens ad with a mobile phone protruding prominently under the glass.

The New York Times

"What a horror," said a customer, Camille Mouries, a librarian, pointing to a colorful Siemens ad under the glass at her table.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Horror turned out to be one of the more straightforward areas to cover: we all know what a good horror film is.

The Guardian - Film

What a fictional horror that would make: someone who has forgotten how to sleep.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Well that's what a good horror movie does right?

Huffington Post

But with campfires in Manhattan a no-no, what's a horror fan to do? Luckily, this summer New York is bursting — like blood from a freshly beheaded zombie — with fright shows and scary movies, a surprising number of which conjure old-school terror.

The New York Times

What makes a horror movie more disturbing than other kinds of suspense thrillers and action movies -- police dramas, say, or the international intrigue Tom Clancy serves up -- is that the anxiety it generates is magnified by a sense of helplessness: you're up against a force that can't be mastered by reason.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what a horror" sparingly for genuine expressions of strong dismay or shock to avoid diluting its impact.

Common error

Avoid using "what a horror" to describe minor inconveniences; reserve it for truly shocking or terrible events to maintain its significance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what a horror" primarily functions as an interjection or exclamation, expressing a strong negative reaction to something deeply shocking, upsetting, or appalling. Ludwig AI validates this usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what a horror" is a grammatically sound and emotionally charged phrase used to convey strong feelings of shock, dismay, or disgust. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While not exceedingly common, it finds a niche within news reporting and general conversation to express strong negative reactions to terrible or upsetting situations. Alternative expressions like "what a nightmare" or "how awful" can provide similar sentiments, tailored to specific contexts. It's best practice to use it judiciously, reserving it for situations that genuinely evoke strong emotions to maintain its impact. Overusing it in trivial contexts can diminish its effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what a nightmare

Shares a similar meaning expressing an unpleasant or dreadful situation, but focuses on the experience being difficult or upsetting.

what a disaster

Implies a complete failure or catastrophe, differing slightly in that it emphasizes the result rather than the feeling.

how awful

A direct expression of something being very unpleasant or bad.

that's terrible

Expresses empathy or shock at a negative situation.

how dreadful

Similar to "how awful" but slightly stronger in expressing distaste or fear.

that's appalling

Indicates something is shockingly bad or horrific, adding a layer of moral offense.

it's a disgrace

Emphasizes the shamefulness or unacceptability of a situation.

what a mess

Focuses on the disarray or confusion of a situation, rather than the feeling of horror.

it's outrageous

Highlights the extreme unacceptability or offensiveness of something.

that's a calamity

Indicates a serious event causing distress or damage, often on a large scale.

FAQs

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

You can use "what a horror" to express strong feelings of shock, dismay, or disgust in response to a terrible or upsetting situation. For example: "The conditions they were living in were appalling, what a horror!"

What are some alternatives to saying "what a horror"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "what a nightmare", "how awful", or "that's terrible" to express similar sentiments.

Is "what a horror" grammatically correct?

Yes, "what a horror" is a grammatically correct exclamatory phrase used to express strong negative feelings or reactions.

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

It's appropriate to use "what a horror" when you want to express strong shock, dismay, or disgust at a particularly terrible or upsetting situation. It's best reserved for situations that genuinely evoke such strong emotions.