what gives

USAGE SUMMARY

"What gives" is a perfectly valid expression in written English.
It is usually used as an informal question when you want to know what is happening or why something happened. For example: "What gives? The store was supposed to be open till 7pm, and it's already closed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Marone, what gives?

The New York Times - Sports

What gives our life meaning?

The New York Times

What gives Freehand an edge?

Independent

What gives our acts purpose?

The New York Times

What gives with these people?

The New York Times

"Yo, what gives?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

So, then, what gives?

University of California, Berkeley

What gives us pause?

Forbes

So what gives?

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

What gave it away?

The New York Times

CL: What gave it away?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what gives" in informal settings to express surprise, confusion, or a demand for explanation. Be mindful of your audience, as it may not be appropriate in formal situations.

Common error

Avoid using "what gives" in professional or academic writing. Opt for more formal alternatives such as "what is the reason for this?" or "can you explain?".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what gives" functions as an interrogative expression, used to question a situation or action that is unexpected or unclear. As Ludwig AI explains, it's a way to ask for an explanation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what gives" is an informal phrase used to express confusion or request an explanation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used, primarily in news, media, and academic contexts. While useful in casual settings, avoid it in formal writing. Consider alternatives like "what's going on" or "can you explain" for different levels of formality. By understanding its function, purpose, and register, you can effectively use "what gives" in appropriate situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what's going on

Focuses more directly on the current situation or events.

what's happening

Similar to "what's going on", emphasizing the unfolding of events.

what's the matter

Implies concern or that something is wrong.

what's the problem

Directly asks about an existing issue or difficulty.

what's up

A more casual and general inquiry about the situation.

what's the deal

An informal way of asking for an explanation or clarification.

what's the reason

Specifically seeks the cause or explanation behind something.

can you explain

Directly asks for someone to provide an explanation.

why is this happening

Focuses on the cause of an undesirable event.

how come

An informal way to ask "why".

FAQs

How can I use "what gives" in a sentence?

You can use "what gives" to express confusion or ask for an explanation. For example, "The store was supposed to be open, what gives?"

What's a more formal alternative to "what gives"?

Instead of "what gives", you can use phrases like "what is the reason for this?", "can you explain?", or "what is the explanation?" in formal contexts.

Is "what gives" appropriate in professional emails?

No, "what gives" is generally considered too informal for professional emails. Opt for a more professional phrasing like "Could you please clarify the situation?" or "What is the reason for this discrepancy?"

What's the difference between "what gives" and "what's going on"?

"What gives" implies more surprise or frustration, while "what's going on" is a more neutral inquiry about the current situation. The second phrase can fit most situations.