what a performance

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "what a performance" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express admiration for someone's performance. For example: "What a performance by the actors - it was truly captivating!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But that left open questions of what to perform and how, and what a performance means in any case.

The New York Times - Arts

"What a performance tonight.

The New York Times

What a performance!

The New York Times

And what a performance.

The New Yorker

What a performance it has been!

The New Yorker

What a performance, what a song.

The New York Times - Arts

What a performance The Georgians loved theatre.

Independent

What a performance gender is.

The Guardian - Arts

What a performance by France!

The Guardian - Sport

What a performance from him.

The Guardian - Sport

What a performance that was from Azarenka.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what a performance" to express genuine admiration and avoid overuse to maintain its impact. Overusing the phrase can dilute its effect.

Common error

Be mindful of tone. The phrase "what a performance" can be used sarcastically. Ensure your delivery and context make your genuine admiration clear to avoid misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what a performance" functions as an exclamation expressing strong approval or admiration for an event, action, or display. It is typically used to convey a positive reaction to someone's skill, effort, or achievement as shown in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what a performance" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express admiration or approval. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for expressing genuine enthusiasm. Primarily found in news and media contexts, its usage spans from neutral to slightly informal registers. While versatile, it's important to ensure your tone matches your intent to avoid sarcastic misinterpretations. Consider alternatives such as "that was a stunning performance" or "an outstanding display" for different nuances or more formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

That was a stunning performance

Emphasizes the impressive and remarkable nature of the performance.

An outstanding display

Focuses on the skill and quality shown during the performance.

Remarkable execution

Highlights the skill and precision involved in carrying out the performance.

An impressive showing

Suggests the performance was notably effective or successful.

That was a masterful performance

Implies expert skill and control were demonstrated.

Brilliant performance

Highlights the exceptional quality and skill involved.

Exceptional display

Stresses the unusually high quality of the performance.

Incredible performance

Emphasizes the difficulty and amazement evoked by the performance.

Superb performance

Indicates the performance was of very high quality and skill.

Commendable effort

Highlights the praiseworthy and deserving nature of the attempt.

FAQs

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

Use "what a performance" as an exclamation of praise after witnessing something impressive. For example, "What a performance by the lead actor!" or "What a performance by the team to come back from behind!"

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

You can use alternatives like "that was a stunning performance", "an outstanding display", or "brilliant performance" to express similar sentiments.

Is "what a performance" suitable for formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "what a performance" is more suited for informal or conversational contexts. In formal writing, consider using more sophisticated alternatives like "the performance was exceptional" or "the display was remarkable".

How can the tone of "what a performance" be misinterpreted?

The phrase "what a performance" can be used sarcastically. To avoid misinterpretation, ensure your tone and the context clearly indicate genuine admiration rather than sarcasm.