what an experience

USAGE SUMMARY

"what an experience" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express surprise, excitement, or admiration over an experience someone is having or has had. For example, "You went skydiving? What an experience!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

But what an experience.

The New York Times - Arts

"What an experience.

Independent

And what an experience John Salt is.

Independent

What an experience that was!

The Guardian - Film

Hi Sue, What an experience!

The Guardian - Travel

What an experience this egg business has been!

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

What an otherworldly experience.

The Guardian - Sport

Do we even know what an "art" experience is?

University of California, Berkeley

What an unbelievable experience.

BBC

What an amazing experience.

BBC

"What an incredible experience!" Dorothy e-mailed.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what an experience" to convey genuine surprise, excitement, or strong emotion about an event or situation. Ensure your tone matches the intensity of the phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "what an experience" for ordinary or commonplace events. Reserve it for truly memorable or impactful moments to maintain its expressive power.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "what an experience" is to serve as an exclamatory phrase. It expresses a strong feeling, typically of surprise, excitement, or admiration, in response to a particular event or situation. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is both correct and commonly used in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what an experience" is a versatile exclamatory phrase used to express strong emotions like surprise, excitement, or admiration. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage. It's most frequently found in News & Media and Academia, with a neutral register suitable for a variety of situations. While adaptable, it's best reserved for truly memorable moments to maintain its impact. Alternatives include "what a remarkable event" or "what an unforgettable moment" for varying degrees of emphasis. When using it, ensure that your tone matches the intensity of the phrase and avoid using it for routine events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

What an unforgettable moment

Highlights the lasting impact and memorability of the moment.

What a remarkable event

Emphasizes the noteworthiness and impressiveness of the event.

What a truly amazing time

Focuses on the positive and enjoyable aspects of the experience.

That was quite the experience

A more understated way of acknowledging the significance of the experience.

That really was something

Similar to "that was something else", but with a slightly more emphatic tone.

That was something else

An expression of surprise or astonishment, often implying a unique or unusual experience.

It was quite an adventure

Emphasizes the exciting and potentially challenging nature of the experience.

I'm blown away by that

Expresses a feeling of being overwhelmed or deeply impressed by the experience.

That took my breath away

Indicates that the experience was awe-inspiring or breathtaking.

Words can't describe it

Suggests that the experience was so profound that it is difficult to put into words.

FAQs

How can I use "what an experience" in a sentence?

Use "what an experience" as an exclamatory phrase to express strong emotion or surprise. For instance, "Visiting the Grand Canyon? What an experience!"

What's a less emphatic alternative to "what an experience"?

If you want to express mild interest or acknowledgment, consider using phrases like "that was interesting" or "that sounds nice" instead of "what an experience".

What can I say instead of "what an experience" to express awe?

To convey a sense of awe, try alternatives like "what a remarkable event" or "what an unforgettable moment", which emphasize the profound impact of the event.

Is "what an experience" formal or informal?

"What an experience" is generally considered informal and is best suited for casual conversations or personal reflections. In formal settings, consider more descriptive language to convey the impact of the event.