what about since

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what about since" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion. It could be used in informal contexts where the speaker is trying to introduce a time frame or condition related to a previous statement. Example: "What about since we last met?" Alternative expressions include "how about since" and "what if since."

News & Media

Wiki

Informal

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

What about since then?

The New York Times

What about since 1998 – we all know since then warming has slowed down – some would say stopped.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

BENEFICIARIES of retro movements, beware: all that attention now being paid to your work from decades ago is nice, but what about everything since?

The New York Times - Arts

The Senate had plenty of time to discuss who said what about whom, since they were engaged in a debate over the House budget, which includes the famous Medicare plan.

The New York Times

What about humiliation?" Since the actors have nothing in particular to play, many scenes are constructed around such tiresome tricks as having someone get interrupted just as he's about to confess something.

The New Yorker

But first things first – what about those stories (since debunked) of Loach's imminent retirement?

The Guardian - Film

And what about their relationship since she and David divorced in 1991?

The New York Times

So what did Mr Osborne have to say to a region where we have been chuntering "What about us?", ever since he set out his vision of a "northern economic powerhouse" last summer?

BBC

For his part, Todd expressed the logical paradox of the endeavor -- referencing supposedly promising education "experiments" (like charter schools), he asked how it is we have been calling for educational reform and improvement for 25 years (what about 50? -- since Sputnik was launched in 1957, spurring alarm at America's lack of scientific preparedness), and yet we're still experimenting?

Huffington Post

"But what about what has happened since the 25th?" the soldier wanted to know.

The New Yorker

"I haven't laughed that hard since What About Bob? came out on LaserDisc".

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always ensure there is a clear time reference or event immediately preceding the phrase so the reader knows the starting point of the 'since' period.

Common error

Avoid using "what about since" in formal reports where the verb is necessary for precision. Instead of the shorthand, use a complete question such as "what has developed since" to ensure the subject of the inquiry is explicit.

Linguistic Context

In the context of Ludwig, this phrase functions as a temporal interrogative bridge. It is an elliptical construction where the main verb (usually 'happened' or 'occurred') is omitted for brevity. It allows a writer to redirect the reader's attention to a new timeframe without repeating previously established subjects.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Informal Speech

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what about since" is a useful, albeit informal, linguistic tool for shifting the focus of a discussion to recent events. Ludwig data highlights that its most effective use is in investigative journalism or debates where a speaker wants to contrast older data with current trends. While it is widely accepted in high-end media, writers should be cautious in purely academic contexts, where more explicit structures like "what has occurred since" are preferred. Ultimately, it serves as a powerful rhetorical shorthand that keeps the narrative moving forward efficiently.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what has happened since

Provides a full verb phrase for greater clarity and formality.

how about since

A very similar informal conversational alternative.

what about after

Shifts the focus from a continuous period to the time following an event.

what has changed since

Specifically asks for developments or modifications rather than general status.

and since then

Acts more as a bridge or transition in a narrative rather than a direct question.

how have things been since

A more personal or qualitative inquiry common in dialogue.

what about thereafter

Uses a formal adverb to refer to the following time period.

what about everything since

Emphasizes a comprehensive look at all events following the reference point.

what is the status since

More professional and formal inquiry into current conditions.

what since then

A shorter, even more elliptical version of the phrase.

FAQs

How do I use "what about since" in a sentence?

You can use it to ask about a period following an event, such as: "The economy peaked in 2007; "what about since" then?" or as a follow-up inquiry.

What can I say instead of "what about since"?

You can use more descriptive alternatives like "what has happened since", "what has changed since", or "how about since" depending on the context.

Is "what about since" grammatically correct?

It is an acceptable elliptical phrase in informal or semi-formal English, particularly in spoken dialogue or journalism, though Ludwig AI notes it is often better to use a full clause in formal writing.

What is the difference between "what about since" and "what about after"?

While "what about after" refers to the time following a point, "what about since" specifically emphasizes the continuous duration starting from that point until the present.