What's next?

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "What's next?" is correct and can be used in written English
It is typically used to ask about future plans or the next step in a sequence of events. Example: After finishing their dinner, the group sat around the table and discussed what's next. They decided to go for a walk around the neighborhood before heading home.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What's next, kittens?

The New York Times - Arts

What's next, occasional blitzes?

The New York Times

What's next, dental flossing?

The New York Times

What's next: syllable discipline?

The New York Times

What's next, Birkenstocks?

The New York Times

"What's next, science?

The New York Times

What's next, a pickup?

The New York Times

What's next for Numero?

The New York Times

What's next for hotels?

The New York Times

What's next for T-Mobile?

The New York Times

What's next for the Bascombes?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In professional presentations, this phrase serves as an excellent 'signpost' to help your audience follow the structure of your argument.

Common error

Ensure you include the apostrophe in "What's" to indicate the contraction of "What is". Writing it as "Whats next" is a common typographical error that undermines professional credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "What's next?" functions primarily as an interrogative contraction that serves as a transition or a direct inquiry. According to Ludwig, it is frequently used to bridge the gap between a completed action and a future one, acting as a conversational or narrative pivot.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "What's next?" is a highly versatile and grammatically correct English expression. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it appears extensively in top-tier publications to drive narratives forward or to pose critical questions about the future. Whether you are writing a business report, a news article, or an academic summary, this phrase remains a reliable tool for indicating sequence and transition. While informal in its contracted form, its widespread adoption by authoritative sources ensures its suitability for almost any professional context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

What comes next?

Less idiomatic but practically identical in meaning and usage.

What follows?

More formal and often used in logical or literary analysis.

What is the next step?

Focuses specifically on a procedural or planned action.

What happens now?

Focuses on the immediate consequence or the very next action in time.

What lies ahead?

Suggests a broader, more visionary or slightly more poetic outlook on the future.

What is in store?

Commonly used when the future holds an element of surprise or inevitability.

Where do we go from here?

Often implies a moment of reflection or decision-making after a milestone.

What is on the horizon?

A metaphorical way to ask about upcoming trends or long-term events.

What is the way forward?

Highly professional and strategic, focusing on solutions and progression.

What is on the agenda?

Specifically refers to planned items in a meeting or business context.

FAQs

How to use "What's next?" in a sentence?

You can use it as a standalone question to ask about future plans, or as part of a longer sentence like "After the merger, everyone is wondering "what is next" for the employees."

What can I say instead of "What's next?"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "what follows", "what comes next", or "the next step".

Is "What's next?" formal or informal?

It is considered neutral. It is widely used in high-quality journalism like The New York Times and The New Yorker, making it suitable for most professional contexts, though purely academic papers might prefer "subsequent developments".

What's the difference between "What's next?" and "What comes next?"?

There is very little difference. "What's next?" is more concise and common in speech, while "what comes next" can sometimes feel slightly more descriptive of a sequence.