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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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what of it

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what of it" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to question the significance or relevance of something that has been mentioned. Example: "You think that I made a mistake? What of it? Everyone makes mistakes sometimes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

But what of it?

News & Media

The New Yorker

One might ask, What of it?

News & Media

The New Yorker

What of it?

And what of it?

Well, what of it?

Yeah, what of it?

What of it?" Fantastic.

Show more...

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

She had a black blazer flung over her shoulder and a yeah-what-of-it look on her face.

What remained of it was cold.

News & Media

The New Yorker

What remains of it?

What came of it?

News & Media

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what of it" to express a challenge, defiance, or a questioning of the relevance or importance of a statement. It adds a tone of dismissiveness or indifference.

Common error

While effective in informal settings, overuse of "what of it" in professional or academic writing can appear rude or dismissive. Choose a more tactful phrasing when addressing serious concerns or differing opinions.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

87%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "what of it" is as an interjection, used to express a challenge, defiance, or indifference. Ludwig AI confirms its role in questioning the significance of a prior statement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what of it" is a commonly used interjection to express indifference, defiance, or to question the importance of something. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts. While effective in informal communication, its use in formal or professional settings requires consideration, as it may come across as dismissive. Alternatives include "so what", "who cares", and "what does it matter".

FAQs

How can I use "what of it" in a sentence?

Use "what of it" to express indifference or defiance toward a statement or situation. For instance, "I was late, "so what"? It didn't affect the outcome."

What does "what of it" mean?

"What of it" expresses a lack of concern, a challenge to the significance of something, or a dismissive attitude. It implies the speaker does not consider something important or relevant.

Is "what of it" formal or informal?

"What of it" is generally considered informal and is best suited for casual conversations or situations where a dismissive tone is appropriate. Avoid using it in formal writing or professional settings.

What are some alternatives to "what of it"?

Alternatives to "what of it" include "so what", "who cares", or "what does it matter", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

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Source & Trust

87%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: