what does it stand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what does it stand" is not correct in English.
Did you mean "what does it stand for"? You can use this phrase when asking for the meaning or representation of an acronym or symbol. Example: "I came across the acronym NASA in the article, but I wasn't sure what it stands for."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

What does it stand for?

The New Yorker

Just what does it stand for?

The New York Times

What does it stand for in the era after big government?

The New York Times - Magazine

What does it stand for? A. That was a tag created by two brothers, and for a while it was ubiquitous around the five boroughs.

The New York Times

But who is behind Golden Dawn and what does it stand for?Mr Michaloliakos started the far-right party in the 1980s and registered it as a political group in 1993.

The Economist

The company then looked inward in an attempt to answer the questions: Who is Apple, what does it stand for and where does the brand fit in the world.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Our link is what makes Labour distinctive, without it, then what does Labour stand for and, importantly, who does it stand for?

The Guardian - Opinion

PhD: so what does it really stand for?

The Guardian

"Yes, a degree is a statement of achievement, but what does it really stand for?" said G. Paul Nardo, a council spokesman.

The New York Times

But what is it — and does it stand a chance of improving the world?

Forbes

What does it take to stand out in this crowded marketplace?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While understandable in informal contexts, prefer the grammatically correct phrase "what does it stand for" in formal writing.

Common error

The phrase "what does it stand" is incomplete. Always include "for" to ensure grammatical correctness when asking about the meaning or representation of something.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what does it stand" functions as an interrogative phrase intended to elicit the meaning or significance of something. However, it is grammatically incomplete without the preposition 'for'. As Ludwig AI shows, the complete phrase is "what does it stand for".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "what does it stand" might be understandable, it is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "what does it "stand for"?". Ludwig AI indicates that the usage is primarily found in news, academia, and scientific contexts. It's crucial to include "for" to maintain grammatical accuracy, particularly in formal writing. Consider alternatives like "what does it "represent"?" or "what is its "purpose"?" for variety and clarity. The omission of 'for' is a common error, so be mindful of this when writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what does it represent

Focuses on the symbolic meaning or what something is intended to portray.

what is its significance

Emphasizes the importance or consequence of something.

what is its purpose

Highlights the intended function or aim of something.

what is its definition

Seeks a precise explanation of what something is.

what does it signify

Similar to represent, but can also imply a deeper or less obvious meaning.

what is it meant to convey

Focuses on the message or idea that something is trying to communicate.

what is the meaning behind it

Explores the deeper, often less obvious, implications of something.

how is it defined

Seeks to understand the specific parameters or criteria that classify something.

what implications does it have

Focuses on the potential consequences or effects of something.

what message does it send

Highlights the communication aspect, what the thing in question says to the audience.

FAQs

What is the correct way to ask about the meaning of an acronym or symbol?

The correct phrase is "what does it "stand for"?". For example, "What does NASA stand for?"

Are there alternatives to asking "what does it stand for"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "what does it "represent"?", "what is its "significance"?", or "what is its "purpose"?" depending on the context.

Is it acceptable to use "what does it stand" in casual conversation?

While understandable, it's better to use the complete and grammatically correct phrase "what does it "stand for"?" even in casual conversation.

What's the difference between "what does it mean" and "what does it stand for"?

"What does it mean" is a broader question about the general meaning, while "what does it "stand for"?" specifically asks about what an acronym or symbol represents.