what a neat

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what a neat" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express admiration or appreciation for something that is considered cool or impressive. Example: "What a neat idea to organize the community event in the park!"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

> What a neat sighting for our neck of the woods.

Cornell University

And what a neat twist that you can run the hundreds of thousands of Android apps on a full-size screen.

The New York Times - Tech

Imagine talking to a tiger, chatting to a cheetah, as Dr Doolittle once sang – what a neat achievement that would be.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I want people to get in here, to discover art the way I did and to realize what a neat thing it is".

The New York Times - Arts

"What a neat thing it is to look at your customers and the market and make your investments accordingly," he explained.

The New York Times

("Gee, what a neat tie!") Owens acknowledges that those who do so play "an important role that tends to be greatly underestimated". But they are almost always low-status workers.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

"What's a neat?" every true American boy must have asked himself at some point or other, imagining some frightful amputation made necessary by the demands of the pastime.

The New Yorker

The unearthing of human bones was done off camera while she was busy getting her kids off to school or peeling potatoes or sorting out her bipolar boyfriend in what proved a neat, alternative domestic focus to the "house of horrors" across town.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

What follows is a neat encapsulation of the two very different realities faced by the different segments of Australia's population.

The Guardian - Opinion

I peered right and left as I rolled to a stop at each corner until I saw something along the lines of what I wanted — a neat white stucco church with a red barrel-tile roof.

The New Yorker

Well here's what looks like a neat use for old smartphones that are still functional even if they're no longer good enough to be your everyday device.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what a neat" to express genuine surprise and approval. It works well when you want to acknowledge something that is both well-organized and impressive in its execution.

Common error

Avoid using "what a neat" in highly formal or professional documents. While acceptable in many contexts, it can sound too casual or informal for certain audiences. Opt for more formal alternatives like "how impressive" or "remarkable achievement" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what a neat" serves as an exclamatory expression, conveying admiration or approval for something that is well-organized, clever, or impressive. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. Its function is primarily to express positive sentiment.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what a neat" is a common exclamatory phrase used to express admiration or approval for something well-organized, clever, or impressive. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to informal contexts and should be used judiciously in formal writing. Related phrases like "how impressive" or ""what a great"" can serve as alternatives depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to use it when you genuinely want to acknowledge something's well-executed nature and avoid overuse in highly formal settings. Examples can be found in news, academic and scientific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what a great

A more general expression of positive sentiment.

what a fantastic

Highlights the exceptional and exciting nature.

what a wonderful

Emphasizes the positive and pleasing qualities.

what a brilliant

Highlights cleverness and intelligence.

how impressive

Conveys a sense of awe or respect, rather than simple appreciation.

how remarkable

Highlights the unusual or extraordinary nature of something.

how clever

Focuses on intelligence and ingenuity rather than aesthetics or organization.

how ingenious

Highlights cleverness and inventiveness, differing from general neatness.

how delightful

Suggests pleasure and enjoyment, rather than just admiration.

how fascinating

Emphasizes intellectual interest or intrigue, rather than general approval.

FAQs

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

Use "what a neat" to express admiration or approval for something well-organized or impressive. For example, "What a neat way to organize the books!" or "What a neat solution to the problem!"

What are some alternatives to "what a neat"?

You can use alternatives such as "what a great", "how impressive", or "how ingenious" depending on the specific context and the aspect you want to emphasize.

Is "what a neat" suitable for formal writing?

While "what a neat" is acceptable in many informal and semi-formal contexts, it may be too casual for highly formal writing. In such cases, consider using more formal alternatives like "remarkable" or "impressive".

What's the difference between "what a neat" and "how interesting"?

"What a neat" typically conveys admiration for organization or cleverness, whereas "how interesting" focuses on intellectual stimulation or curiosity.