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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
what's outside
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesAlternative expressions(20)
what's out there
The New York Times
what lies beyond
what is available
what possibilities exist
what does the future hold
what are the alternatives
what's in store
according to authority
The Guardian
research suggests
according to reports
reportedly
it required
it will take time
at the margins of the talks
according to sources
it will require patience
in connection with the gathering
findings reveal
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
60 human-written examples
What's Outside the Big City?
News & Media
Opinion|What's Outside the Big City?
News & Media
What's outside the door could be your third boy.
News & Media
What's outside the door could be your third boy.Just a bird?
News & Media
What's outside the front door is at least as important as what's behind it.
News & Media
I'm just listening to it to hear what's outside the box.
News & Media
"I spend my time listening not to what's inside me, but what's outside me.
News & Media
Today, many executives assume that what's inside the corporate firewall is pretty safe and what's outside it is not.
News & Media
"What's outside the window?" "The Hudson River view, unfortunately, is on the other side of the building.
News & Media
But while the hotel is as lovely and as relaxing as anyone could wish, it's what's outside the front door that will bring people here.
News & Media
It's more about being environmentally friendly". For some householders, the biggest fear is not what's within the house but what's outside it.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
In formal or academic papers, consider expanding the contraction to "what is outside" to maintain a professional tone.
Common error
Avoid adding "of" unnecessarily, such as saying "what's outside of the door". While common in speech, "what's outside the door" is more concise and preferred in professional writing.
Source & Trust
92%
Authority and reliability
4.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "what's outside" primarily functions as a noun clause or a relative clause fragment. It is often used to identify an unknown subject or condition existing beyond a boundary. In many examples from Ludwig, it acts as the object of a verb like 'see', 'listen to', or 'ignore'.
Frequent in
News & Media
75%
General/Wiki
15%
Business & Tech
7%
Less common in
Science
1%
Academic Research
1%
Poetry/Literature
1%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "what's outside" is a highly versatile and correct English expression used to describe the world beyond a particular limit. Ludwig data shows a massive concentration of this phrase in high-authority news sources, where it is used to describe everything from physical landscapes to abstract concepts like corporate security and psychological boundaries. While the contraction makes it lean toward a neutral or informal register, its clarity makes it a staple in modern writing. Whether used to describe a view from a window or a challenge to traditional thinking, it remains a robust choice for any writer aiming for directness and simplicity.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
what's out there
Adds a sense of mystery or broad scope compared to the more immediate "what's outside".
the world outside
Broader and more thematic than the literal description of an exterior space.
things outside
Uses a plural noun to be more specific about physical objects rather than an abstract state.
what lies beyond
More poetic and formal, often used to describe things further away or hidden.
the scene outside
Focuses specifically on the visual perspective or view.
what's visible through the window
Highly literal and descriptive of a specific viewpoint.
what is outdoors
More formal and strictly refers to the natural environment.
the external environment
Switches to a formal, scientific or technical register.
what is on the exterior
More clinical and technical, used in architectural or structural contexts.
what is out-of-doors
A dated and significantly more formal British variation.
FAQs
How to use "what's outside" in a sentence?
The phrase usually acts as a subject or object in a clause. For example: "I checked to see "what's outside" before leaving the house."
What's the difference between "what's outside" and "what's out there"?
While "what's outside" refers to the immediate area beyond a wall or door, "what's out there" often implies a larger, more unknown, or metaphorical space.
Is "what's outside" grammatically correct?
Yes, it is a perfectly standard contraction of "what is outside". It is widely used in journalism and literature, as seen in examples from "The New York Times".
What can I say instead of "what's outside" in a formal report?
In formal contexts, you might use more specific nouns like "the external environment" or "exterior conditions".
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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