as what

USAGE SUMMARY

"as what" is a grammatically correct phrase that can be used in written English.
It is commonly used as a question phrase, but can also be used in other contexts. Example 1 (as a question): "Can you please clarify what exactly you meant by that statement? As what, a compliment or an insult?" Example 2 (in a comparison): "I've never seen such a beautiful sunset before. It was like a painting, as what my grandmother used to create with her watercolors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"As what?

The New York Times - Arts

Survival as what, though?

The Economist

But as what?

The New Yorker

Such as what?

Forbes

But as what, and why?

The New Yorker

To be marketed as what, exactly?

The New York Times

"Such as what?" he demanded.

The Guardian - Film

We don't know as what".

The New York Times

"Famous as what?" MacArthur said.

The New Yorker

"As long as what takes?" I asked.

The Guardian - Opinion

This theory became known as what?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as what" to directly question or challenge a statement or assumption, prompting for clarification or justification.

Common error

Avoid using "as what" in highly formal writing; opt for more precise or sophisticated phrasing such as "in what capacity" or "in what manner" depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as what" primarily functions as an interrogative phrase, seeking clarification or specification. It's frequently used to challenge or question a preceding statement, prompting for more detail or context, as demonstrated in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as what" functions primarily as an interrogative, used to seek clarification or challenge a statement. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is grammatically correct and appears frequently across various sources, particularly in news and media. While versatile, it tends towards informal registers, suggesting that it is more suitable for casual conversations than formal writing. When in doubt, alternatives such as "in what capacity" or "what exactly" may be more appropriate in formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what exactly

Emphasizes the need for precise details.

what specifically

Highlights the desire for particular information.

in what capacity

Focuses on the role or position someone holds.

compared to what

Directly requests a comparative reference point.

what kind of

Seeks to identify the type or nature of something.

as which

Offers a more formal or direct inquiry about a specific category.

by what means

Inquires about the method or process used.

in what way

Shifts the focus to the manner or method of something.

how so

A briefer, more informal way of asking for explanation.

what's that

A very casual inquiry, almost an interjection.

FAQs

How can I use "as what" in a sentence to ask for clarification?

You can use "as what" to directly question a statement. For example, if someone says they want to be famous, you might ask, "Famous "as what"?"

What's a more formal alternative to "as what"?

For more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "in what capacity" or "in what way", which offer a more sophisticated tone.

Is it grammatically correct to start a question with "as what"?

Yes, it is grammatically acceptable, though typically used in informal settings. In formal writing, rephrasing to use "what exactly" or "what specifically" may be preferable.

Can "as what" be used in comparative statements?

Yes, it can be used in comparative statements to seek a reference point. For instance, "It's not as terrible "as what" you came in with", implying a comparison to a previous state or condition.