what about then

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what about then" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to inquire about a specific time or situation that was previously mentioned or to suggest considering a different perspective. Example: "We discussed our plans for the weekend, but what about then? What if it rains?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

What about, then, travel to and from another galaxy within a couple of months?

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

What about, then, say, I don't know, OBLITERATING Iran?

Huffington Post

What about since then?

The New York Times

What is it about, then?

The New York Times

So what was it all about, then?

Huffington Post

So what's this game about, then?

Vice

What about pundits then?

The Guardian - Business

What about Rodriguez, then?

The New York Times - Sports

What about that then?

The Guardian - Music

What about that then, Elgar.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

What about honour/honor/honer, then?

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "what about then" in writing, ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity. The 'then' should refer to a specific time or situation already established in the text.

Common error

Avoid using "what about then" if the 'then' doesn't have a clear reference. Ensure the timeframe or situation being referred to is explicitly mentioned earlier in the conversation or text to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what about then" primarily functions as an interrogative expression used to inquire about a subsequent action, consideration, or perspective related to a previously mentioned time, situation, or topic, as demonstrated in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "what about then" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to prompt further thought or discussion on a related matter or time. Ludwig examples highlight usage in diverse contexts, primarily within News & Media and Science, but spanning a spectrum of formality. While versatile, clarity is paramount; ensure that the 'then' clearly references a previously established timeframe or situation. If there are related questions, don't hesitate to review the FAQ section and explore alternative phrases, such as "what then", to enhance precision and stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what then

Shorter, more direct inquiry about what follows.

what happens then

Focuses specifically on the sequence of events.

what's next then

Emphasizes the immediate next step or consideration.

what about afterwards

Specifically refers to a time following a given event.

how about then

Suggests an alternative plan or action for that time.

what if then

Explores hypothetical scenarios related to that time.

then what is the solution

Focuses on finding a resolution at that specific point.

what's the alternative then

Directly asks for a different option at that point.

what becomes of that then

Inquires about the consequence or outcome at that time.

subsequently, what are your thoughts

Formal way of asking what someone thinks about it after some time has passed.

FAQs

How can I use "what about then" in a sentence?

Use "what about then" to ask about something related to a previously mentioned time or situation. For instance, "We've made plans for Saturday, but what about then if it rains?"

What is a similar way to phrase "what about then"?

Similar options include "what about afterwards", "what about since", or simply "what then", depending on the context.

Can "what about then" be used in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "what about then" is generally more suitable for informal conversations. In formal writing, consider more precise alternatives depending on your context.

Is "what about then" the same as "what about now"?

No, "what about then" refers to a future or previously discussed time or situation, while "what about now" refers to the present.