Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

seriously what
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

No, seriously, what is it?

News & Media

Independent

Seriously, what were they thinking?

News & Media

The New York Times

Seriously, what a dame.

News & Media

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Seriously, what was that about?

News & Media

The Guardian - Opinion

Seriously, what are you waiting for?

News & Media

The New York Times - Books

But seriously: what a giddy, useful feature.

News & Media

The New York Times - Tech

Seriously, what have you been drinking?

News & Media

The New Yorker

Seriously, what was he thinking?

News & Media

The New York Times

Seriously, what can go wrong?

News & Media

The Guardian

Seriously, what use are frogs?

News & Media

The Guardian

Seriously, what fresh uncaffeinated hell is this?

News & Media

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ this phrase in rhetorical questions to highlight the absurdity or unexpected nature of a situation, especially in editorial writing.

Common error

Avoid using "seriously what" in strictly technical or academic papers, as its colloquial and emotive nature can undermine the objective tone required for such documents.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

92%

Authority and reliability

4.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

In the phrase "seriously what", "seriously" acts as a sentence adverb (disjunct) that expresses the speaker's attitude toward the rest of the question. As observed in many Ludwig examples, it functions as a marker of sincerity or emphasis, signaling to the reader that the following question should be taken at face value rather than as a joke.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Social Media

15%

Entertainment Reviews

10%

Less common in

Science

Academia

Legal Documents

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "seriously what" is a robust idiomatic tool for writers looking to inject personality, emphasis, or a tonal shift into their work. Based on the extensive Ludwig data, it is a hallmark of contemporary journalistic style, particularly in the UK and US media. While it is highly effective for engaging a reader's emotions or highlighting absurdity, its informal nature requires careful placement. It is most effective when used to transition from a lighthearted observation to a more serious point of discussion.

More alternative expressions(10)

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no, seriously, what

A very common variation that emphasizes the rejection of a previous humorous or sarcastic point.

seriously though, what

Adds a transitional word to bridge the gap between a joke and a serious question.

but really, what

Signals a similar shift to a more grounded inquiry with a slightly softer tone.

honestly, what

Replaces the adverb of intent with one of truthfulness, maintaining the same rhetorical function.

but in all seriousness, what

A expanded, more formal version of the same transition.

truly, what

Provides a slightly more literary or dramatic emphasis.

jokes aside, what

Explicitly labels the previous context as non-serious before asking a direct question.

for real, what

A highly informal or slang-leaning version used in casual settings.

I mean, what

Acts more as a conversational filler that leads into a question of disbelief.

in all earnestness, what

A much more formal way to express a sincere inquiry.

FAQs

How do I use "seriously what" in a sentence?

You can use "seriously what" to express disbelief or to change the subject to something more important, as in: "That was a funny story. But "seriously what" are we going to do about the deadline?"

What can I say instead of "seriously what"?

Depending on the tone, you could use "<a href="/s/honestly+what" target="_blank" rel="alternative">honestly what", "<a href="/s/but+really+what" target="_blank" rel="alternative">but really what", or "<a href="/s/jokes+aside+what" target="_blank" rel="alternative">jokes aside what".

Is "seriously what" too informal for business?

It is generally acceptable in internal communications or marketing copy with a conversational voice, but for formal reports, consider using "<a href="/s/on+a+more+serious+note" target="_blank" rel="alternative">on a more serious note".

What's the difference between "seriously what" and "seriously, what"?

In writing, a comma is typically used after "seriously" when it functions as an introductory adverb. Without the comma, it might feel more rushed or spoken, but the meaning remains the same.

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Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Source & Trust

92%

Authority and reliability

4.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences:

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seriously whatGrammar usage guide and real-world examples

seriously what
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples