what of then

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what of then" is not standard or commonly used in written English.
It may be intended to inquire about the implications or consequences of a previous statement or situation, but it lacks clarity and is awkward. Example: "You say we should proceed with caution, but what of then?"

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

So what of Brazil, then?

The Guardian - Sport

What of Britishness, then?

Independent

What of Japan then?

The New York Times

(Remember Ramiro Mendoza?) What of Youkilis, then?

The New Yorker

And what of Brazil then?

The Guardian - Sport

What becomes of then, then, when the demand is cut off and they disappear?

The New Yorker

But what of the papers, then?

The Guardian - Opinion

So what then of Game of Thrones?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

So what, then, of this concept of failure?

Vice

What, then, of the content of the Tory bill?

The Guardian - Opinion

What, then, of the idea of bancassurance, when banks and insurers combine?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "what of then" in contemporary writing; opt for clearer alternatives like "what about then" or "what then" to maintain clarity and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Be aware that "what of then" sounds unnatural and may confuse readers. Rephrase your sentence for better clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what of then" functions as an interrogative expression, seeking to understand the implications or consequences related to a preceding situation or statement. However, its non-standard usage makes it less effective in conveying its intended meaning.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what of then" is an uncommon and grammatically awkward phrase that seeks to inquire about the implications or consequences of a prior situation. Ludwig AI indicates it's not a standard expression and suggests using clearer alternatives like "what about then" or "what then". While present in some sources, its infrequent and inconsistent use makes it best to avoid this phrase in contemporary writing to ensure clarity. The phrase appears mostly within News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts, however, with its oddness it is still better to opt for an alternative. Using alternatives promotes clearer and more effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what about then

Replaces "of" with "about" for a more standard interrogative structure.

what then

Omits "of" for a more concise and direct question.

what happens then

Specifies the inquiry to focus on the sequence of events.

what is the consequence then

Clarifies the request for the resulting implications.

what are the implications then

Focuses on the derived effects or ramifications.

what does that mean then

Seeks clarification of a statement's significance.

so what about then

Adds a conversational tone while seeking further input.

then what is the next step

Directs the question toward subsequent actions.

what's the situation then

Inquires about the state of affairs following a point.

what is to be done then

Asks about actions that should be taken afterwards.

FAQs

What does "what of then" mean?

The phrase "what of then" is not a standard English expression. It's generally interpreted as a question about the implications or consequences of a previous statement at a specific point in time, but it's better to use clearer alternatives.

What can I say instead of "what of then"?

You can use alternatives like "what about then", "what then", or "what happens then" depending on the context.

Is "what of then" grammatically correct?

No, "what of then" is not considered grammatically correct in modern English. It is an awkward and uncommon phrasing. Simpler alternatives are preferable.

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

You can use "what then" to inquire about the next step or consequence. For example, "If the proposal is rejected, what then?"