English grammar
What a + noun! / How + adjective!
React to news with What a…! and How…!.
From the scene What a shame!
In short
React to news with What a + noun or How + adjective: What a shame! How strange!
Your turn
Which one goes with how + adjective?
Options: What a shame it's going to rain tomorrow! · How nice of you to invite them. · How strange!
Show answer
how + adjective → How strange!
How it works
To react to news, use What a + noun (what a shame, what a pity) or How + adjective (how strange, how lucky).
Good to know
You can add more after it: What a shame it's going to rain tomorrow! How nice of you to invite them!
what a + noun What a shame it's going to rain tomorrow!
Nuria
What a shame it's going to rain tomorrow!
¡Qué pena que llueva justo mañana!
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank)!
Options: How nice of you to invite them · What a shame it's going to rain tomorrow · How strange
Show answer
Nuria
What a shame it's going to rain tomorrow!
¡Qué pena que llueva justo mañana!
how + adjective How strange!
Elena
Rain? How strange! In August!
¿Lluvia? ¡Qué raro que llueva en agosto!
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Rain? (blank)! In August!
Options: How nice of you to invite them · How strange · What a shame it's going to rain tomorrow
Show answer
Elena
Rain? How strange! In August!
¿Lluvia? ¡Qué raro que llueva en agosto!
how nice of + person + to How nice of you to invite them.
Nuria
To your place? How nice of you to invite them.
¿A su casa? Qué bien que los invite.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
To your place? (blank).
Options: How strange · How nice of you to invite them · What a shame it's going to rain tomorrow
Show answer
Nuria
To your place? How nice of you to invite them.
¿A su casa? Qué bien que los invite.
how + adjective + that + clause How lucky that you love cooking so much!
Nuria
How lucky that you love cooking so much!
Qué suerte que le guste tanto cocinar.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank)!
Options: How lucky that you love cooking so much · What a shame it's going to rain tomorrow · How strange
Show answer
Nuria
How lucky that you love cooking so much!
Qué suerte que le guste tanto cocinar.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| what a + noun | What a shame it's going to rain tomorrow! |
|---|---|
| how + adjective | How strange! |
| how nice of + person + to | How nice of you to invite them. |
| how + adjective + that + clause | How lucky that you love cooking so much! |
More lines from the story
- ElenaWhat a pity... Well, tell them to come to my place.Qué lástima... Pues diles que vengan a mi casa.
- ElenaOf course, dear. I'll make churros with hot chocolate.Claro, cariño. Hago churros con chocolate.