what was impressive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what was impressive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that left a strong positive impact or admiration in a past context. Example: "During the presentation, what was impressive was the speaker's ability to engage the audience with compelling stories."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

What was impressive about McDyess was the way he scored.

The New York Times - Sports

"What was impressive was the consistency - there was not a single mistake," added Whitmarsh.

Independent

What was impressive in this regard was Sunu's knack of going for the best option.

The Guardian - Sport

['She's a bit nuts, isn't she?' read one post.] But what was impressive was how well-informed these women were.

Independent

But to me what was impressive about "The Times Are Racing" was not the cool-cat factor.

The New Yorker

What was impressive about play was that Anthony had just entered the game and Woodson decided to give Copeland the opportunity to score.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

What is impressive is how industriously she pursues it.

The New York Times - Arts

What is impressive is how much sense the centers make.

The New York Times

What is impressive about the book is its control, and its humane comprehension of radical otherness.

The New Yorker

What is impressive about Verizon's response to Hurricane Sandy is its self-interested timeliness.

The New York Times

What is impressive is how unobtusive, intuitive and forgiving the rest of the electronics are.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what was impressive" to introduce a specific quality or aspect that caused admiration. It's effective for highlighting key positive points in reviews, analyses, or personal reflections.

Common error

Avoid using "what was impressive" when referring to something currently happening. Use "what is impressive" instead to maintain the correct tense and meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what was impressive" functions as a nominal clause, acting as the subject complement or object in a sentence. It introduces a specific quality or aspect that evoked admiration or positive evaluation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is perfectly acceptable and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what was impressive" is a versatile phrase used to highlight admirable qualities or actions in past events or situations. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used, especially within journalistic contexts. When writing, remember to use it to spotlight specific features that elicited admiration or a positive response. For variety, consider alternatives like "what stood out" or "the most impressive aspect". Avoid using "what was impressive" in reference to something currently happening; instead, use "what is impressive".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the most impressive aspect

Highlights a particular element as being the most impressive.

what was remarkable

Emphasizes unusualness and memorability.

what was exceptional

Stresses a deviation from the norm in a positive way.

what was striking

Highlights the immediate and powerful impact.

what stood out

Focuses on prominence or noticeability rather than inherent impressiveness.

what was noteworthy

Indicates something worthy of attention and recording.

what shone through

Suggests a quality that was clearly and brightly apparent.

what I admired most

Directly expresses personal appreciation.

what captivated me

Focuses on the speaker's personal enchantment or fascination.

the biggest takeaway

Highlights what you learned.

FAQs

How can I use "what was impressive" in a sentence?

Use "what was impressive" to introduce a specific aspect or quality that evoked admiration or positive evaluation in the past. For example, "What was impressive about the presentation was its clarity and conciseness."

What can I say instead of "what was impressive"?

Alternatives include "what stood out", "what was remarkable", or "the most impressive aspect", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "what is impressive" instead of "what was impressive"?

Yes, both are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "What is impressive" refers to something currently impressive, while "what was impressive" refers to something that impressed you in the past.

How does "what was impressive" differ from "what I found impressive"?

"What was impressive" implies a more objective assessment of impressiveness, while "what I found impressive" emphasizes a personal or subjective viewpoint.