what a support

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what a support" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used in contexts where you are expressing surprise or admiration for the level of support provided, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "After receiving so much help from my friends during the project, I thought to myself, what a support they have been!"

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Amazing what a support system A-Rod has assembled.

The New York Times - Sports

The guidelines also include a section about what a support person should know and do to help the person with mental health problems and financial difficulties.

BMC Health Services Research

Don't judge what a support group is until you've met the people there and have heard their stories.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Jarrett, at age 43, embraces what a superior support system can do for a driver.

The New York Times - Sports

The extreme parental response was to take children out of school, a measure that furthered misconceptions about what a curriculum supporting early sex education actually entails.

Vice

The next year the supporting category was created – but the Academy didn't stipulate hard rules as to what differentiated a supporting from a leading role.

Independent

There is no single agreed definition of what a self-management support intervention encompasses.

BMJ Open

What a statement of support--to assume that someone with HIV will live long enough to make car payments!" Underlying POZ is the conviction that an HIV diagnosis is not an instant death sentence.

The New Yorker

Once that complex structure erodes, we are left with flat rock pavements covered by scrubby algae, and biodiversity is accordingly reduced to a fraction of what a healthy reef supports.

The New York Times

These days, we all know what a political liability supporting the NEA has become for any national politician.

Los Angeles Times

The figures show what a difference such tailored support has made: 13 care leavers graduated from Sunderland last year, compared to just three the year before.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using alternative phrases like "what great support" or "such a support" for a more natural and impactful expression. This avoids potential awkwardness while still conveying your admiration for the support received.

Common error

Avoid using "what a support" repeatedly in your writing. It can quickly become repetitive and lose its impact. Instead, vary your language by using synonyms or rephrasing your sentences to express the same sentiment in different ways.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what a support" functions as an exclamatory expression used to acknowledge and praise someone or something that provides significant help, assistance, or encouragement. However, as noted by Ludwig AI, its usage is not very common in contemporary English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while grammatically acceptable, the phrase "what a support" is not a commonly used expression in contemporary English. Ludwig AI identifies it as potentially awkward. Its purpose is to express gratitude or admiration for assistance, but alternatives like "what great support" or "such a support" are often preferred for their clarity and naturalness. When writing, consider the context and audience to choose the most appropriate and impactful way to convey your appreciation. Although sources as The New York Times, Huffington Post and BBC use it, it can be suitable for neutral to informal settings but avoid overuse to maintain clarity and avoid repetition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what great support

Replaces the indefinite article "a" with the adjective "great" for emphasis.

what remarkable support

Uses "remarkable" instead of "a" to highlight the exceptional nature of the support.

such a support

Employs "such" instead of "what a" to express admiration or surprise at the level of support.

what a source of support

Adds "source of" to clarify that the subject is a provider of support.

what a pillar of support

Uses "pillar of support" to emphasize the strength and reliability of the support.

what a helpful resource

Shifts the focus to the helpfulness of the resource, while still implying support.

how supportive

Expresses the sentiment in a more direct and concise way.

how much support

Highlights the quantity of support, rather than the quality.

the extent of the support

Focuses on the degree or scope of the support provided.

the level of assistance

Replaces "support" with "assistance", which is a more formal term.

FAQs

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

While grammatically correct, "what a support" might sound awkward. Instead, consider saying "what great support" or "such a support" to express similar sentiments.

What are some alternatives to "what a support"?

You can use alternatives like "what great support", "such a support", or "how supportive" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "what a support" or "what a supportive person"?

"What a supportive person" is generally clearer and more common. "What a support" is less direct and might be misinterpreted. Using "what a supportive person" ensures your meaning is easily understood.

How does "what a support" compare to "what a help"?

"What a help" is a more common and natural-sounding expression. While both convey appreciation, "what a help" is often preferred for its simplicity and wider acceptance in everyday language.