what a race

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what a race" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express excitement or admiration about a race, often in the context of sports or competitions. Example: "After watching the marathon, I couldn't help but exclaim, 'What a race!' The athletes pushed their limits."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Wow, what a race!

The New Yorker

What a race!!

The Washington Post

"It was, wow, what a race.

The New York Times - Sports

What a race that was!

The Guardian - Sport

"What a race," Tréluyer said.

The Guardian - Sport

So that's about us - what a race!

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

"Adrian's just very good, an aerodynamicist who knows what a racing car ism," Fry adds.

The Guardian - Sport

What a tight race.

The Guardian - Sport

"Man, what a long race.

The New York Times

That was what a real race driver does.

Independent

This is what a pennant race is all about".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what a race" to express genuine excitement or admiration after witnessing a particularly competitive or thrilling event. It adds a personal touch to your commentary.

Common error

Avoid using "what a race" in highly formal or academic writing. While acceptable in news and sports reporting, it might sound out of place in scholarly articles or business reports. Consider more neutral or descriptive language in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what a race" functions primarily as an exclamatory phrase used to express enthusiasm or admiration. It is typically uttered after witnessing a particularly exciting or closely contested race or competition, as supported by the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what a race" is a commonly used exclamatory phrase to express excitement or admiration after witnessing a thrilling competition. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and suitability for various contexts, particularly in news, media, and sports. While its register is generally neutral, it leans towards informal. It's important to consider the formality of your writing and choose more descriptive or neutral language in formal academic or business contexts. Alternative phrases like "what an incredible competition" or "what a spectacular event" can be used to convey a similar sentiment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

What an incredible competition

Replaces 'race' with the broader term 'competition', emphasizing the overall contest rather than just a race.

What a spectacular event

Substitutes 'race' with 'event', broadening the scope to any type of notable happening.

That was an amazing contest

Uses 'contest' instead of 'race', and shifts the tone to a past observation rather than a direct exclamation.

That was a thrilling competition

Similar to 'amazing contest', but with 'thrilling' adding more excitement.

It was a fantastic event

Similar to 'spectacular event', but uses 'fantastic' to express high praise.

What a nail-biting finish

Focuses specifically on the exciting conclusion of the race or event.

Incredible performance by all

Shifts the focus to the performers rather than the race itself.

That competition was truly something else

Uses a more informal tone to express the exceptional nature of the competition.

Unbelievable sporting achievement

Emphasizes the scale of the accomplishment involved in the event.

What a display of skill

Highlights the talent and ability demonstrated during the race or event.

FAQs

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

You can use "what a race" to express excitement or admiration after witnessing a thrilling competition. For example, "After the final sprint, I exclaimed, 'What a race!'"

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

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "what an incredible competition", "what a spectacular event", or "that was an amazing contest".

Is "what a race" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "what a race" is generally more suitable for informal or conversational contexts. In formal writing, consider using more descriptive and neutral language.

What does "what a race" typically imply?

"What a race" typically implies that the speaker found the race or competition particularly exciting, impressive, or noteworthy, often due to its close finish, unexpected turns, or the exceptional performance of the participants.