around what time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "around what time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when inquiring about the approximate time something will happen or has happened. Example: "Could you let me know around what time the meeting is scheduled to start?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

2. If yes, around what time do you come home? 3. Would you be willing to bring me back an extra slice of pizza on your way home from the bar? 4. Do you consider yourself a judgmental person? 5. Like, what if you came home and saw me eating five Hot Pockets?

Huffington Post

You should tell your guests what time to arrive and around what time they should leave.

WikiHow

Even if you think you know around what time you're supposed to go on, be aware and listen carefully to the scene that's happening.

WikiHow

e. Around what time did the correct information reach newspapers on the East Coast?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Always offer to work around what times work best for the company.

Forbes

FACEBOOK FIRST I usually get up around 9, no matter what time I've gone to bed the night before.

The New York Times

At the market, built in the 1930s, women gathered around to speak about what time they will take their daily bath.

Unicef

Most of it was pretty standard stuff stories of fan interactions, a discussion of humor and Donald Trump but then they got around to addressing what Times reporter Sopan Deb called the "elephant in the room": Jeffrey Tambor's departure from Transparent in the wake of allegations he sexually harassed two women.

Vice

But you have to cycle to get around every day, no matter what time of year.

The Guardian

This time around, what I'm jonesing for are three particular items: a bomber jacket from Burberry, wedge booties from Alejandro Ingelmo, and a structured bag that looks great while holding all my stuff from Mulberry.

The New York Times

If "Follies" failed to find a large audience on Broadway the first time around, what reason was there to believe that a reconstituted version would win over crowds 14 years later?

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When asking for an approximate time, use "around what time" to keep the tone informal and conversational. It's suitable for everyday interactions.

Common error

Avoid using overly formal language with "around what time". Phrases like "at what precise hour" don't fit the casual nature of the phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "around what time" functions as an interrogative prepositional phrase used to inquire about an estimated time. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It softens the request, suggesting an approximate rather than exact answer is sufficient.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "around what time" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase for inquiring about an approximate time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid expression in written English, often used in informal contexts. While versatile, it's best suited for casual conversations or when precise timing isn't crucial. Alternatives such as "roughly when" or "approximately when" can be used to fine-tune the level of formality. Remember to maintain consistency in tone and avoid pairing the phrase with overly formal language to ensure clarity and appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

roughly when

Focuses on the general period without specifying a precise moment.

approximately when

Uses a more formal term for approximation of time.

about what hour

Specifies the hour of day, implying a more focused timeframe.

in the vicinity of what time

Uses more elaborate vocabulary to indicate approximation.

at approximately what hour

Combines formal terms to inquire about the hour.

give or take what minute

Indicates the approximate minute mark.

in the neighborhood of what time

Uses a colloquial expression to indicate approximation.

estimated time

Focuses on the expected time, potentially deviating from the precise time.

predicted time

Indicates forecasting or guessing the time.

ballpark time

Emphasizes a rough estimate of the time.

FAQs

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

You can use "around what time" to ask for an estimated time. For example: "Example: Around what time will you be arriving?". It's commonly used in informal contexts.

What phrases are similar to "around what time"?

Alternatives include "roughly when", "approximately when", or "about what hour".

Is "around what time" appropriate for formal communication?

While grammatically correct, "around what time" is more suitable for informal settings. In formal communication, consider using phrases like "at approximately what time".

What is the difference between "around what time" and "what time"?

"Around what time" implies an approximation, while "what time" seeks a precise answer. Use "around what time" when an exact time isn't crucial.