what a mockery

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what a mockery" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express disdain or criticism towards a situation that seems ridiculous or insincere. Example: "The way they handled the event was such a mockery of the original purpose."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

What a mockery!

The New Yorker

"What a mockery this is making of legitimate public concerns on fracking, and indeed of the democratic process," said Lucas, criticising the limited time the government made available for the debate.

The Guardian

"This disgraceful smear of Ed's dead father shows once again what a mockery it is for the Mail's editor to have overseen the code on standards at the discredited Press Complaints Commission.

The Guardian

And what a mockery we have made of the cause of democratic rule when our president, twice elected by the people, has created one of the world's most fearsome symbols of torture on the U.S. "liberated" territory of Guantanamo, Cuba.

Huffington Post

"Narco-terrorists of the FARC and EP kill half the country and will only pay five years, maximum eight, what a mockery of the people," one Colombian wrote on Twitter.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Those poems describe aversions and attractions, things discovered and overheard, friends met in adulthood and, on rare occasions, the poet's own youth, served up with a compression that approximates (but never becomes) self-mockery: "What a lot of erections, voidings, pretzels, / bouncing the ball against the stoop.

The New York Times - Books

What a pity that Fred Wilpon has made such a mockery of these principles that personified Robinson, and so many of us hold dear.

The New York Times

The curious thing is that, forty years on, what was meant as a mockery of conventional wisdom has become itself another kind of wisdom.

The New Yorker

"What happened this year makes a mockery of all the thought and time parents, students and schools expended," said the principal of a Manhattan middle school where most eighth graders were not accepted at any outside high school.

The New York Times

"My problem is that, no matter what, Christine O'Donnell is making a mockery of running for public office," explained McCain.

Huffington Post

But that is what marathons do: make a mockery of past reputation and the best-laid plans.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context to determine if a more nuanced or specific term might be more appropriate. While "what a mockery" conveys strong emotion, other phrases might be more descriptive.

Common error

While impactful, "what a mockery" can sound overly dramatic in formal or academic writing. Opt for more restrained phrasing like "a distortion of" or "undermines the integrity of" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what a mockery" primarily functions as an exclamatory phrase used to express strong disapproval, ridicule, or contempt. It often highlights a significant discrepancy between expectation and reality. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

20%

Reference

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what a mockery" is an exclamatory phrase used to express strong disapproval or ridicule, often in response to hypocrisy or injustice. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. While grammatically sound and used in reputable sources, including news outlets, its frequency is relatively rare, and its informal tone may not be suitable for formal writing. Alternative phrases like "what a farce" or "what a sham" can convey similar sentiments. When using this phrase, consider the context and ensure it aligns with the desired tone and level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what a joke

Replaces "mockery" with "joke", implying something is not to be taken seriously or is laughable.

a complete joke

Similar to "what a joke", but emphasizes the completeness of the joke.

what a farce

Substitutes "mockery" with "farce", suggesting a situation is absurd and a travesty of justice.

what a sham

Replaces "mockery" with "sham", indicating something is fake and intended to deceive.

a total sham

Emphasizes the thoroughness of the deception.

what a disgrace

Replaces "mockery" with "disgrace", highlighting the shameful and unacceptable nature of something.

what a travesty

Emphasizes that something is a distorted representation of what it should be.

how absurd

Focuses on the ridiculous and illogical nature of something.

utterly ridiculous

Highlights the extreme foolishness of a situation.

beyond parody

Suggests the situation is so extreme it surpasses even satire.

FAQs

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

Use "what a mockery" to express strong disapproval or ridicule. For example, "The way they handled the investigation was "what a mockery" of justice".

What are some alternatives to "what a mockery"?

You can use alternatives like "what a farce", "what a sham", or "what a disgrace" depending on the specific context.

Is "what a mockery" suitable for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "what a mockery" is often considered too informal or emotional for academic or business contexts. More neutral phrasing may be preferable.

What's the difference between "what a mockery" and "what a joke"?

"What a mockery" suggests something is a poor imitation or distortion of something else, while "what a joke" implies something is simply not to be taken seriously or is laughable. The former carries a stronger sense of indignation.