what account

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what account" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when inquiring about the specific details or nature of an account, such as in financial or social media contexts. Example: "Can you tell me what account you used to make the purchase?" Alternative expressions include "which account" and "what type of account."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

"I thought it was the end game, over," he was quoted as saying when investigators queried him about what account he was using to clear certain trades.

The New York Times

It's quite possible that the student who goes to Harvard is more ambitious and energetic and personable than the student who wasn't let in, and that those same intangibles are what account for his better career success.

The New Yorker

But in the real world most of us rely to some extent on what the economist Richard Thaler calls "mental accounting" — we split our money into different mental accounts, and treat it differently depending on what account it's in.

The New Yorker

She adds: "Making the £30 saving on the price, along with the discounts on commute costs for four years, could prove a popular choice when deciding on what account to take out".

The Guardian - Money

It took almost two weeks to read its 1,892 pages, and when she was finished Finch stared at the last page several minutes, flicked it back, flicked it forward, and wondered what account she could possibly give of herself to her social worker that afternoon.

The New Yorker

See what account changes you can make.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

What accounts for this?

The New York Times

What accounted for the delay?

The Economist

What accounts for these changes?

The New York Times

What accounts for its integrity?

The New York Times

What accounts for that difference?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "what account", ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity. Specify the type of account if necessary (e.g., "what savings account", "what social media account").

Common error

Avoid using "what account" when you actually mean "which account". "What account" asks for the type or nature of the account, whereas "which account" asks for a specific one from a known set. For example: "Which account did you use?" (from a list of accounts)

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what account" primarily functions as an interrogative phrase. It is used to elicit information about the kind or nature of an account, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples, where it seeks clarification or specification of the account in question. Ludwig AI validates its common usage in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

30%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "what account" is a grammatically sound and frequently used interrogative phrase employed to inquire about the nature or type of an account. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it's versatile, appearing in diverse contexts ranging from news and media to scientific literature and wikis. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and usability in written English. While versatile, it's essential to ensure clarity by specifying the type of account if needed. Alternatives like "which account" and "what kind of account" offer similar yet nuanced options for varying contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

which account

This alternative directly asks for the specific account, providing a more concise option.

what kind of account

This specifies the type or category of account being referenced.

what type of account

Similar to "what kind of account", this clarifies the nature of the account.

on whose account

This alternative specifies who is responsible for the account or action.

for what reason

While not directly related to a financial account, it inquires about the justification or explanation.

what explanation

This seeks a detailed explanation or justification, often used in formal settings.

what justification

This asks for the reasons or basis for an action or decision.

what record

This alternative seeks information about a specific entry or documentation.

under what circumstances

This inquires about the conditions or situation surrounding an event.

what basis

This alternative requests the underlying rationale or justification.

FAQs

How is "what account" used in a sentence?

The phrase "what account" is used to inquire about the specific type or nature of an account. For example, "When deciding on "what account" to take out, students consider various factors".

What can I say instead of "what account"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "which account", "what kind of account", or "on whose account".

When should I use "what account" versus "which account"?

"What account" is used when asking about the type of account, while "which account" is used when asking for a specific account from a set of options. For example, "What type of account should I open?" vs. "Which account did you use for this transaction?".

Is it ever grammatically incorrect to use "what account"?

While generally grammatically correct, "what account" can be vague if the context doesn't provide enough information. Clarify by specifying the account type (e.g., "what bank account", "what online account").