In what sense

USAGE SUMMARY

'In what sense' is a perfectly acceptable and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is used to ask a question to seek clarification on a particular statement. For example, "Stanley said he was in a hurry, but in what sense?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

In what sense?

The New York Times

In what sense was Williams "puritan"?

The New York Times - Books

In what sense are they comparable?

The Guardian - Books

In what sense are airwaves state-owned?

The Economist

In what sense are they open?

The New York Times

"In what sense?" Nugent asked.

The New Yorker

In what sense is that the question?

The Guardian - Opinion

In what sense is that lost?

The Guardian - Arts

In what sense was Eichmann thoughtless?

The Guardian - Opinion

In what sense was he "wrongfooted"?

The Guardian

"In what sense?" "The girls," Antonio clarified.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in what sense" to politely challenge or question a statement that seems ambiguous or unclear. It encourages a deeper explanation.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "in what sense" can sound overly formal or stilted in casual conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives like "how so" or "what do you mean" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in what sense" functions as an interrogative phrase used to solicit clarification or further explanation regarding a previous statement. It prompts the speaker to elaborate on the specific meaning or interpretation of their words, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

26%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in what sense" is a widely used interrogative phrase that serves the purpose of seeking clarification and deeper understanding. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across varied sources like News & Media, Science and Encyclopedias. While very useful in neutral or formal register, as the examples indicate, alternatives such as "what do you mean" or "how so" might be preferred in informal settings. It's important to note that using this phrase is suitable for encouraging detailed explanations and ensuring precision in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

In what respect

This alternative emphasizes the specific aspect or detail being questioned.

In what way

This alternative focuses on the method or manner in which something is done or understood.

How so

This alternative offers a more concise and informal way to ask for clarification.

What do you mean

This alternative is a direct and straightforward request for explanation.

What does that imply

This alternative questions the underlying meaning or suggestion of a statement.

Can you elaborate

This alternative politely asks for a more detailed explanation.

Could you clarify that

This alternative requests a clearer and more precise explanation.

In what context

This alternative asks for more information about the situation surrounding something.

What's the implication

This alternative seeks to understand the possible effects or consequences.

What's the significance

This alternative probes the importance or relevance of something.

FAQs

How can I use "in what sense" in a sentence?

You can use "in what sense" to ask for clarification on a statement. For example, "He said he was busy, but "in what sense" was he busy?"

What's the difference between "in what sense" and "how"?

"How" generally asks about the manner or method, while "in what sense" seeks clarification on the meaning or interpretation of a statement.

What can I say instead of "in what sense" to sound less formal?

You could use alternatives like "what do you mean" or "how so" for a more casual tone.

Is it always appropriate to use "in what sense"?

While grammatically correct, "in what sense" may come across as overly formal in some situations. Assess your audience and the context to determine if a simpler phrasing would be more effective.