to what point

USAGE SUMMARY

'to what point' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used when asking how far something goes or is true; for example, "To what point do you think the president's policies will be successful?".

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Fat compared to what?" May 12 , 2015

The New Yorker

Listen to what last year's 4.4-magnitude earthquake sounded like.

University of California, Berkeley

His groundbreaking work was a prelude to what today is the miniaturized pacemaker.

The New York Times

Get down, nod, and listen to what tomorrow should sound like.

The Guardian - Music

So almost every country moved to what today's health insurance lobbyists might label "socialized firefighting".

The New York Times

The comparative study includes the infills of 20 pithouses from the extensive settlement comprising about 750 (323 excavated) such archaeological structures situated along the left bank of Vltava River close to what today is the city of Prague.

Journal of Archaeological Science

I, for one, am looking forward to what 2015 brings.

TechCrunch

So I'm always curious as to what today's equivalent, MoveOn.org, is up to.

Forbes

Since then there has been an enormous development of this inequality to what today is called Hardy-type inequalities.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

But the high annual commitments of the past three years pale in comparison to what 2019 holds.

Forbes

It is time for part one of the traditional Technology of Business lookahead to what 2013 holds.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to what point" when you want to formally question the relevance or extent of something, often implying a degree of skepticism or doubt.

Common error

Avoid using "to what point" in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "what's the point?" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to what point" functions as an interrogative phrase, typically introducing a question that challenges the value, relevance, or justification of something. It seeks to understand the purpose or limit of a particular action or belief. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to what point" is a grammatically sound interrogative phrase used to question the relevance, purpose, or extent of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While grammatically correct, it is best suited for formal contexts where a more direct question might be perceived as impolite. Consider alternatives like "what's the point" or "to what extent" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Due to its infrequent usage, "to what point" carries a formal tone and is most appropriate in professional or academic settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

To what extent

This alternative focuses on the degree or scope to which something is true or valid.

To what degree

Similar to "to what extent", this emphasizes the level or intensity of something.

What's the point

This alternative is a direct and common way to question the value or significance of something.

To what end

This alternative questions the purpose or goal of an action or statement.

What's the purpose

This alternative directly asks about the intention behind something.

What's the relevance

This alternative questions the connection or importance of something.

How far

This alternative asks about the limit or boundary of something.

How much

This alternative questions the amount or quantity of something.

What are the implications

This alternative focuses on consequences or effects of an action or situation.

What's the significance

This alternative focuses on the meaning or importance of something.

FAQs

What does "to what point" mean?

The phrase "to what point" questions the purpose, relevance, or extent of something. It often implies a degree of skepticism or doubt about the value or justification of an action, argument, or situation.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "to what point"?

Use "to what point" in formal contexts when you want to politely challenge the significance or validity of something. It's suitable for academic discussions, formal debates, or professional settings where a more direct approach might be considered impolite.

What are some alternatives to "to what point"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "what's the point", "to what extent", or "what is the relevance". These options provide similar meanings with varying degrees of formality.

How can I use "to what point" in a sentence?

Example: "To what point should we continue investing in this project if the returns are diminishing?" This sentence questions the rationale for continuing an action with limited benefits.