what is exciting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what is exciting" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when asking for clarification or elaboration on something that is thrilling or interesting. Example: "Can you tell me what is exciting about the new project?" Alternative expressions include "what is thrilling" and "what is intriguing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

That is what is exciting".

Independent

"People have different ideas of what is exciting," he said.

The New Yorker

What is exciting is how much is already in preparation.

The Guardian

"What is exciting for us at FX is subverting genres," Mr. Schrier said.

The New York Times - Arts

As for what is exciting, much of it seems to have been created during Taymor's reign.

The New Yorker

That's what is exciting about language — you can never be quite sure of it.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

He knew what was exciting and what was trivial.

The New York Times - Sports

That's what was exciting about it.

The New York Times - Arts

That's what's exciting now.

The Guardian - Business

"You know what's exciting?" she said.

The New York Times

What was exciting was what he put in its place.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In modern journalism, using the contraction "what's exciting" is often preferred to maintain a conversational and engaging tone with the reader

Common error

Avoid using "what is exciting" as a standalone sentence without a clear antecedent or follow-up. For example, writing "The project is finished. What is exciting." is grammatically incomplete. Ensure it introduces a specific clause, such as "What is exciting is the result we achieved".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what is exciting" functions primarily as a nominal relative clause. It often serves as the subject of a sentence in a pseudo-cleft structure (e.g. "What is exciting is...") to focus the reader's attention on the subsequent information. Ludwig AI identifies it as a powerful tool for emphasis in narrative and expository writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "what is exciting" is a robust and versatile expression used to introduce noteworthy information. According to Ludwig AI, it is particularly prevalent in News & Media and Science contexts, where it helps writers highlight the most compelling aspects of a story or study. Whether used as a subject in a cleft sentence or to emphasize a discovery, it maintains a balance between enthusiasm and clarity. Alternatives like "<a href="/s/what+is+fascinating" target="_blank" rel="alternative">what is fascinating" or "<a href="/s/what+is+thrilling" target="_blank" rel="alternative">what is thrilling" can be used to fine-tune the emotional or intellectual weight of your statement. Overall, it is a highly effective way to guide your reader's focus toward what matters most.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what's exciting

Contraction of the original phrase, more common in spoken or informal written English

what is thrilling

Conveys a higher degree of emotional intensity or physical excitement

what is fascinating

Shifts the focus from emotional excitement to intellectual interest

what is intriguing

Suggests a sense of mystery or curiosity alongside the excitement

what is captivating

Implies that the subject holds one's attention completely

what is remarkable

Focuses on the unusual or extraordinary nature of the subject rather than the feeling of excitement

what is noteworthy

More formal and objective, highlighting why something deserves attention

what is compelling

Suggests that the subject is convincing or powerful

what is riveting

Emphasizes that the subject is impossible to look away from

what's impressive

Evaluates the quality or skill of the subject rather than the thrill it provides

FAQs

How to use "what is exciting" in a sentence?

You typically use it to introduce a highlight, such as in ""What is exciting" is the way this new technology works". You can also find variations like "<a href="/s/what+is+fascinating" target="_blank" rel="alternative">what is fascinating" depending on the level of interest.

What is a more formal alternative to "what is exciting"?

In academic or professional settings, you might prefer "<a href="/s/what+is+noteworthy" target="_blank" rel="alternative">what is noteworthy" or "<a href="/s/what+is+significant" target="_blank" rel="alternative">what is significant" to sound more objective.

Is "what is exciting" grammatically correct?

Yes, it is a correct nominal relative clause. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use in high-authority sources like The New York Times and The Guardian.

What is the difference between "what is exciting" and "what excites"?

The phrase "what is exciting" focuses on the quality of the object, whereas "<a href="/s/what+excites" target="_blank" rel="alternative">what excites" usually acts as a verb phrase focusing on the action or the emotional response of the person.