This expression is used to make a strong exclamation. We can use it when we are surprised, angry, excited, or any other strong emotion or feeling. This is just a different way of saying a short exclamation.
- He is such a bad guy! = What a bad guy!
- It is so nice today! = What a nice day!
- This is a great game! = What a great game!
When we write sentences like this, then we usually put an exclamation mark (!) at the end.
What + a/an + adjective + noun!
- What a good day!
- What a horrible storm!
- What a bad guy!
- What a nice family!
- What a wonderful movie!
- What a beautiful sunset.
- What an interesting painting!
- What an elegant dress!
- What an unbelievable day!
We can also make exclamations with just a noun. These sentences can sometimes only be understood by people who know the situation.
But many times, we can understand the meaning by looking at the speaker’s face or hearing how they say it.
- What a day!
If the person says this while smiling and looking happy, then we can guess that they mean “What a great day!”.
What + noun!
- What a jerk! (=He is such a bad guy)
- What a surprise!
- What a day! (This could be said after a really good or really bad day)
- What a show!
- What a game!
Bonus Tips and Points
1. If we want to use a similar expression with only an adjective, we should use this pattern.
How + adjective!
- How exciting!
- How terrible!
- How wonderful!
- How awful!
- How cool!
- How strange!
- How bizarre!
- How disgusting!
Real-World English Conversations
A) My boss pushed me today.
B) What a jerk!
A) My dog destroyed my sofa.
B) What a bad dog!
A) What a beautiful painting! Did you paint this?
B) Yes, I did. Thank you for saying that.
A) What a nice restaurant!
B) I know. It’s so elegant and nice.
A) I broke my phone. Now, I have to go get it fixed.
B) What a pain in the neck!
A) What an interesting idea!
B) I agree. How did he come up with that?
A) Here. I got you a present.
B) Wow! What a surprise!
A) My husband bought me this necklace for my birthday.
B) What a nice guy! And what a nice a necklace!
A) What a busy day today is!
B) I know. I can’t wait to go home and sleep.
Use these free English lessons to learn the most common sentence patterns in the English language. If you learn these sentences and questions, it will help you speak English well. Study the lessons thoroughly, practice making your own sentences, and come back to review often. If you do these three steps, your English speaking will improve quickly and you will be able to have natural English conversations.
English Sentence Patterns for Speaking Index
