on what thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on what thing" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward or unclear.
It could be used in informal contexts when asking for clarification about a specific object or subject, but it is better to use more precise language. Example: "Can you clarify on what thing you are focusing your research?"

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Where a lot of skate media concerns itself with contests and who did the best trick on what thing and which guy is riding for which company, Jenkem ponders skateboarding's deeper questions.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

If you lose weight one week, for example, think back on what things you ate and what kinds of exercises you did that week.

WikiHow

They always take a vote on what things will be like a month later.

The New Yorker

"We participated in things that were clearly wrong and have reason to regret and apologize for," he said, without elaborating on what "things" the firm did wrong.

The New York Times

They will be able to talk to, learn from, and add to a wealth of data on What Things Are and What To Do With Them.

The Economist

"He never planned on what things would be like when he was 65 or 70," Terence said.

The Guardian

If you think, particularly, on what things we do spend our money, like producing weapons and stuff, such an investment must be good investment.

The Guardian

As should be clear from the above, I am much more with "the economists" (a group that hardly speaks with a single voice) on what things are likely to cost.

The New York Times

At the end, Mr. Dylan -- I mean Jack Fate -- sits on a bus, musing on what things do and don't mean, and listens to himself sing "Blowin' in the Wind," which is where the answer, my friend, still is.

The New York Times

Musicians, care home staff and managers meet after each session to reflect on what things they have learned about the patients – knowledge that helps in future care and treatment.

The Guardian

Resemblance is fundamental and primitive and so either there are no properties or the properties of a thing depend on what things it resembles.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "on what thing" in formal writing. Opt for clearer and more common alternatives such as "about what" or "regarding which item."

Common error

Using "on what thing" can make your writing sound unnatural. Instead of focusing on what is technically correct, focus on what communicates most effectively. Reframe your sentence to use more idiomatic expressions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on what thing" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a question or inquiry. However, as Ludwig AI indicates, it is not a standard or recommended usage. The intended function is to specify the subject or object of the inquiry, but the phrasing is considered awkward.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on what thing" is an uncommon and grammatically awkward way to inquire about something. As highlighted by Ludwig, it's best to avoid this phrasing in favor of clearer alternatives like "about what" or "regarding which item". While it might appear in informal contexts, authoritative sources tend to use more precise language. This awkwardness affects its usage and it's generally recommended to prefer other well-established phrases. The rare occurrence and negative grammatical assessment make it a less desirable choice for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

about which item

Uses a more formal and grammatically correct structure for asking about a specific item.

on what subject

Directly inquires about the topic under discussion.

regarding what item

Replaces 'thing' with the more specific 'item' and uses 'regarding' for a slightly more formal tone.

regarding which aspect

Combines 'regarding' with 'aspect' for a more refined way of asking about a specific feature.

about what matter

Substitutes 'thing' with 'matter', focusing on the subject or issue at hand.

concerning what object

Replaces 'thing' with 'object', suitable when referring to a physical item or entity.

on what aspect

Focuses on a particular feature or facet of something.

in relation to what element

Uses a more formal structure and replaces 'thing' with 'element', suitable for analytical contexts.

with respect to what factor

Emphasizes the consideration of a specific influencing component.

in connection with what issue

Highlights the link to a specific problem or subject of discussion.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "on what thing" to sound more natural?

Consider using phrases like "about what", "regarding which item", or "on what subject" for clearer and more common alternatives.

Is "on what thing" grammatically correct?

While not strictly incorrect, "on what thing" is an awkward and uncommon phrasing. It's generally better to use alternative expressions like "about what" or "regarding which item".

What's a more formal way to ask "on what thing"?

For a more formal tone, use "regarding which item" or "concerning what object" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "on what thing"?

It's rarely the best choice, but the phrase might be acceptable in very informal conversation where clarity isn't critical. However, it's best avoided in writing.