what about when

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what about when" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a question or topic regarding a specific situation or time frame. Example: "What about when we discussed the budget last month? Did we reach a consensus?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What about when someone's died?

The New York Times

What about when it rains?

Independent

But what about when they have children?

The New York Times

What about when that goes wrong?

The New Yorker

What about when it goes wrong?

The New Yorker

What about when you were younger?

The New York Times

What about when he doesn't?

The Guardian - Opinion

What about when the football's all over?

Independent

What about when it rained?

The New Yorker

And what about when you graduate?

The Guardian

"But what about when I'm done playing?

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what about when" to introduce a follow-up question that builds upon a previously mentioned situation or condition. For instance, after discussing potential solutions, you might ask, "What about when those solutions fail?"

Common error

While grammatically sound, overuse of "what about when" can make writing seem informal or repetitive. In formal contexts, consider more sophisticated alternatives like "regarding when" or "in relation to when" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what about when" functions as an interrogative opener, primarily used to introduce a question that considers a specific scenario or condition. As supported by Ludwig, this phrase is commonly used to explore potential issues or outcomes related to a given situation. Examples show that it is often used in discussions and problem-solving contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what about when" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to introduce questions that explore specific scenarios or conditions. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, it's particularly useful in prompting deeper consideration of potential issues or alternative outcomes. While the phrase is versatile and appears frequently in news and media, it's important to be mindful of the context. In more formal writing, consider using alternatives such as "regarding when" or "concerning when" to maintain a professional tone. Remember to use this phrase to encourage thoughtful consideration of various possibilities and contingency plans.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how about when

Replaces "what" with "how", shifting the focus slightly from the subject to the manner or method.

regarding when

Changes the opening to a more formal prepositional phrase, suitable for professional contexts.

concerning when

Similar to "regarding when", this option provides a more formal and direct way to introduce a temporal query.

in relation to when

Offers a more verbose, but still grammatically correct, way to introduce a question about timing.

with respect to when

Similar to "in relation to when", this phrase is another formal alternative that directly introduces a temporal question.

when considering

Transforms the phrase into a gerund phrase, setting up a condition or consideration about timing.

if we consider when

Introduces a conditional element, framing the query as a hypothetical situation about timing.

suppose that when

Frames the question as a supposition or hypothetical scenario to explore a temporal possibility.

assuming that when

Similar to "suppose that when", this alternative presents a condition or assumption before posing the temporal query.

taking into account when

Presents a scenario where timing is a key factor to be considered in the query.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "what about when" for a more formal tone?

For formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "regarding when", "concerning when", or "in relation to when".

Is there a difference between "what about when" and "how about when"?

"What about when" introduces a question concerning a specific situation or time. "How about when" focuses more on the manner or method in a certain situation.

When is it appropriate to use "what about when" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "what about when" to introduce a follow-up question that builds upon a previously mentioned situation, or to explore the implications of a specific scenario. However, be mindful of overuse, especially in formal writing.

What are some common scenarios where "what about when" is used?

"What about when" is often used in discussions or problem-solving scenarios to address potential issues or alternative outcomes. For instance, "What about when the system fails?" or "What about when resources are limited?"