what a storm

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what a storm" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express surprise or emphasis about the intensity or severity of a storm. Example: "As we watched the dark clouds gather, I couldn't help but exclaim, 'What a storm is brewing!'"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Music

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

And what a storm it was.

The Guardian - Music

"I got to see what a storm does," he said.

The New York Times

Given his youth, he probably had no idea what a storm "Deep Throat" created when it was released in 1972.

The New York Times

During Haiyan, many people died because they did not know what a storm surge was and stayed with their properties.

The Guardian

She explains what a storm can be in Coleridge's poetry, and how William and Dorothy Wordsworth were interested less in descriptive summaries of weather but more in "specific moments of transformation – when the sun suddenly strikes through cloud".

The Guardian - Books

I was not surprised to see what a storm could do to a city, because for the past two years I had been reporting on Baghdad, and I had seen the way in which that ancient, wounded metropolis had been torn apart and ruined by the U.S. invasion, the looting in its aftermath, and the bungled occupation.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

What a storming over from Tremlett, a double-wicket maiden.

The Guardian - Sport

5th over of 23: England 32-0 (Cook 9, Bell 22) What a storming shot from Ian Ronald Bell!

The Guardian - Sport

But, alas, what a magnificent storm for the media and all the many Brown haters around.

The Guardian

Gov. Andrew Cuomo's latest request for federal aid to help New York recover from Hurricane Sandy presents a shattering picture of what a giant storm can do to a dense metropolitan area.

The New York Times

What is a storm surge?

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what a storm" to express surprise, shock, or strong emotion in response to a literal or metaphorical storm. Ensure the context clearly conveys the intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "what a storm" when the situation is merely a minor inconvenience. Reserve it for genuinely significant or tumultuous events to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what a storm" primarily functions as an exclamatory phrase. It is used to express a strong emotional reaction, such as surprise, awe, or dismay, in response to a significant or intense event. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Books

30%

Music

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what a storm" is an exclamatory phrase used to express strong emotions in response to a significant event. While grammatically correct, its usage is more common in neutral to informal contexts, as noted by Ludwig AI. To enhance your writing, remember to reserve this phrase for events that genuinely warrant a strong emotional response and consider the context to ensure the message is well-received. Alternatives such as ""what a tempest"" or ""what a catastrophe"" can add nuance depending on the specific situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what a tempest

Replaces "storm" with a more dramatic and literary term.

what a catastrophe

Emphasizes the disastrous nature of the event.

what a disaster

Similar to "catastrophe" but slightly less formal.

what a commotion

Focuses on the disturbance and uproar caused by the event.

what a mess

Highlights the disarray and disorder resulting from the event.

what a trial

Emphasizes the difficult or challenging nature of the situation.

what a difficulty

A more formal way of expressing a challenging situation.

what a situation

A general term for a complex or problematic event.

what a predicament

Highlights a difficult or dangerous situation.

what an ordeal

Emphasizes the painful or prolonged nature of the experience.

FAQs

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

You can use "what a storm" to express surprise or emphasis about the intensity or severity of a storm. For example, "As we watched the dark clouds gather, I couldn't help but exclaim, 'What a storm is brewing!'"

What are some alternatives to "what a storm"?

You can use alternatives like "what a tempest", "what a catastrophe", or "what a disaster" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "what a storm" or "what a storm it is"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "what a storm" is a more concise and emphatic exclamation, while "what a storm it is" provides a slightly more descriptive statement.

When is it appropriate to use "what a storm" metaphorically?

You can use "what a storm" metaphorically to describe a situation filled with turmoil, conflict, or intense emotions. Just ensure the context makes the metaphorical meaning clear.