what else can be done

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "What else can be done?" is correct and usable in written English.
You may use it to inquire if there are additional steps that could be taken to reach a goal. For example, "We've done a lot to try to get the project back on track, but what else can be done?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

But what else can be done?

The New York Times

What else can be done?

The Guardian - Money

The question has always been: What else can be done?

The New York Times

"I don't know what else can be done".

The New York Times

"But there's a limit to what else can be done".

The New York Times - Sports

So what else can be done to protect pollinators?

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

i dont know what else can be affecting this elevation other then a relapse im really freaking out, im praying i dont have to go back into treatment.

BioSocieties

We wonder what else we can be doing, and we can't expect that giving people a hotline number will do the trick every time.

Huffington Post

Mr Stone may be forgiven for failing, like everybody else, to say clearly what can be done to make things less awful.

The Economist

When coherent and rational approaches have left the building, as they have in the current U.S. ideological conflict over the role of government, what else can still be done?

Huffington Post

What I want to know, is what else can folks be doing to prevent online harassment?

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "what else can be done", ensure the context clearly establishes what has already been attempted or considered. This provides a frame of reference for brainstorming new solutions.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on the passive construction "what else can be done". Consider active alternatives like "what more can we do?" to inject agency and a sense of proactive problem-solving.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what else can be done" functions as an interrogative expression, specifically used to solicit suggestions or explore further possibilities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and frequently employed in English. It often serves as a prompt for problem-solving or solution-seeking in various scenarios.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what else can be done" is a versatile and frequently used interrogative phrase that serves to prompt further exploration of solutions or actions. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness. It's suitable for a variety of contexts, maintaining a neutral to professional register. The phrase’s effectiveness lies in its directness and its focus on problem-solving. When using this phrase, ensure the context provides a clear understanding of previous efforts, and consider active alternatives to maintain a proactive tone. Common alternatives include "what more can we do?" and "what alternative solutions exist?". This analysis highlights the phrase's widespread applicability and its role in encouraging continued progress.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

What more can we do

Focuses on actions we can take, implying a collective effort.

What other options are there

Shifts the focus to exploring different possibilities or choices.

What steps remain

Highlights the idea of unfinished actions or procedures.

How else can we proceed

Emphasizes the manner or method of moving forward.

What avenues are left unexplored

Suggests investigating previously overlooked opportunities or methods.

What's the next course of action

Focuses on identifying the immediate following step.

Where do we go from here

Explores future direction, implying a need for new strategies.

What alternative solutions exist

Highlights the search for different problem-solving approaches.

What could be tried additionally

Suggests supplementary attempts or experiments.

What further measures can be taken

Emphasizes the implementation of additional actions.

FAQs

How can I use "what else can be done" in a sentence?

You can use "what else can be done" to inquire about additional actions or solutions. For example, "We've tried several approaches, but "what else can be done" to improve the situation?"

What's a more proactive way to ask "what else can be done"?

Instead of passively asking ""what else can be done"?", you can use phrases like "what more can we do?" or "what alternative solutions exist?" to encourage active problem-solving.

Is "what else can be done" appropriate for formal writing?

"What else can be done" is generally suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal settings, consider using slightly more elaborate alternatives like "what further measures can be taken?".

Which is more effective, "what else can be done" or "how can we improve this"?

Both phrases have their uses. "What else can be done" is best when previous attempts have been made. "How can we improve this?" is suitable when seeking general improvements without specific prior actions.