about what time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "about what time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are asking someone at what time something happened, is happening, or will happen. For example: "Could you tell me about what time the bus leaves?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

There was no thought about, what time this is wasting.

BMC Public Health

She repeatedly calls out to assistants who bustle about: what time is it?

The New York Times

About what time?

The New York Times

They argue about what time it is.

The New York Times - Arts

"How dare you pitch a fit about what time your sketch is on?

The New Yorker

During the performance, he said, he thought about what time looks like physically.

The New Yorker

"The rules say nothing about where, or about what time of day.

The New York Times

(Things didn't work out with Lansky — for starters, "Meyer wouldn't tell you the truth about what time it was").

The New Yorker

I found myself for the first time thinking about what time of day the miracle of the fishes took place.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Think about what times you want to wake up, and what you have to do.

WikiHow

Tells what "Time" said about Mexico's need for credit.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When asking a question using "about what time", ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify the date or event you're referring to if it's not immediately obvious.

Common error

Be mindful of redundant phrasing. Avoid using "about what time approximately" as it repeats the approximation. Choose either "about" or "approximately" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about what time" functions as an interrogative phrase, primarily used to inquire about an approximate time. Ludwig indicates that it is correct and usable. It is used to ask for an estimated time, rather than a precise one.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Reference

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "about what time" is a commonly used interrogative phrase for inquiring about an approximate time. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It's prevalent in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. When using this phrase, it's helpful to provide context to avoid ambiguity and to be aware of potentially redundant phrasing. Alternatives like "approximately when" and "around what hour" can be used depending on the desired level of formality. Overall, it's a versatile and practical phrase for everyday communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately when

Replaces "about what time" with a simpler phrase indicating approximation.

at roughly what time

Introduces "roughly" to soften the precision of the question.

around what hour

Substitutes "time" with "hour", focusing on a less precise timeframe.

in the neighborhood of what time

Uses a more idiomatic expression to indicate an approximate time.

at what hour

Similar to "around what hour" but more direct and less conversational.

more or less what time

Similar to "give or take", but uses a different expression to convey flexibility.

give or take what time

Indicates a flexible timeframe, allowing for minor variations.

when approximately

Reorders the words and adds "approximately" for a slightly different emphasis.

what time roughly

A simple reordering of words to inquire about an approximate time.

what time frame are we talking about

Shifts the focus to a time frame rather than a specific point.

FAQs

How can I use "about what time" in a sentence?

You can use "about what time" when asking for an approximate time. For example, "About what time will you arrive?". Alternatively, you can use phrases like "approximately when" or "around what hour" depending on the level of precision needed.

What's the difference between "about what time" and "what time"?

"About what time" implies an approximation, while "what time" asks for a specific time. For instance, "About what time will the meeting start?" suggests flexibility, whereas "What time does the meeting start?" seeks an exact time.

What can I say instead of "about what time"?

You can use alternatives like "approximately when", "around what time", or "at roughly what time" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it always necessary to use "about" before "what time"?

No, it's not always necessary. Using "about" depends on whether you need to convey an approximation. "What time will you be there?" is perfectly acceptable if you're looking for a precise answer. If you're flexible and looking for an approximate time you may say "approximately when will you be there?"