what a joke

USAGE SUMMARY

"what a joke" is a valid and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to express disbelief, amusement, or sarcasm towards something that is perceived as ridiculous or absurd. Example: "I can't believe Sarah said she wants to become a professional clown. What a joke!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Social Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

what a joke.

University of California, Berkeley

What a joke, this planet.

The New Yorker

Slutty, drunken, willing Verna, what a joke.

The New Yorker

What a joke our system is.

University of California, Berkeley

"What a joke," Wendell said.

The New York Times - Sports

Facebook user John Young commented: "What a joke".

Independent

"Weight-reduction dog" — what a joke.

The New Yorker

What a joke that now seems.

The Guardian - Opinion

"That's what a joke is all about.

The Guardian

"What a joke," wrote one viewer on Palin's Facebook page.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"You never knew with Jews what was a joke and what wasn't".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Incorporate the phrase to add emotional color and emphasize your opinion about a situation.

Common error

Avoid using "what a joke" in situations where genuine humor is intended. The phrase often carries a negative or sarcastic connotation and can be misinterpreted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what a joke" primarily functions as an exclamatory expression used to convey a strong negative opinion or sarcastic amusement about something. According to Ludwig AI, it is commonly used and grammatically correct. Examples show this in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

10%

Social Media

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "what a joke" is a versatile expression used to convey sarcasm, disbelief, or disappointment. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. Predominantly found in News & Media, this phrase is more common in informal contexts, where it serves to express strong opinions or ridicule situations. When writing, be mindful of the nuance, as its sarcastic connotation might be easily misinterpreted. Consider alternative phrases, such as "what a parody" or "it's laughable", depending on the intended tone and the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what a parody

Replaces "joke" with "parody", emphasizing the farcical nature of something.

what a charade

Substitutes "joke" with "charade", highlighting the deceptive or insincere quality of something.

what a comedy

Uses "comedy" instead of "joke", implying something is unintentionally funny or absurd.

what a travesty

Replaces "joke" with "travesty", indicating a distorted or debased representation of something.

what a farce

Substituting "joke" with "farce", this alternative underlines the ridiculous and chaotic nature of something.

what a mockery

By using "mockery" in place of "joke", this indicates a situation of disrespect or ridicule.

how ridiculous

Expresses the same sense of absurdity but using a different structure and vocabulary.

it's laughable

Indicates that something is so absurd it provokes laughter or scorn.

that's preposterous

Replaces the original phrase with a more formal term, maintaining the sense of absurdity.

utter nonsense

Conveys a sense of something being completely without sense or reason.

FAQs

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

You can use "what a joke" to express sarcasm or disbelief. For example, "They promised better service, but look at this mess! What a joke!"

What can I say instead of "what a joke"?

You can use alternatives like "what a parody", "what a charade", or "it's laughable depending on the context".

When is it inappropriate to use "what a joke"?

It's generally inappropriate to use "what a joke" in formal or respectful settings, as it can come across as dismissive or rude. Reserve it for informal conversations or situations where sarcasm is acceptable.

Is "what a joke" grammatically correct?

Yes, "what a joke" is grammatically correct as an exclamatory phrase. It follows the standard structure for expressing surprise or disdain.