what sequence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what sequence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when inquiring about the order or arrangement of items, events, or actions. Example: "Can you clarify what sequence the tasks should be completed in for this project?"

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

What sequence of events occurred 24 hours before impact?

The New York Times

"The question is how they will be packaged, and in what sequence.

The New York Times

But there is no agreement on what steps will trigger additional energy and other aid, and in what sequence.

The Economist

The problem is how to arrange further reciprocal steps, and in what sequence -- and whether the United States is willing to mediate or orchestrate each new move.

The New York Times

Choko keeps wondering what he is going to write and how ("But what should I, the writer, have my drowning father remember – and in what sequence?"), and so does everyone else.

The Guardian - Books

Yet there are persistent indications of a hidden, whispered narrative of personal rivalry, debate, and unfinished decision-making within the Adminsitration about how to rescue the banks, and in what sequence.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

After Greenlight Media has helped raise the money to make Deep Blue, Ms Tidmarsh and her team set about choosing what sequences to include the The Blue Planet's raw footage.

The Guardian

In order to show what sequences constituted the major class-level taxonomic groups in Figure 6, major sequences (>1% to the total sequence in each library) are listed in Table 2.

AMB Express

Especially in complex cases, it is difficult to decide which orthodontic treatment modalities should be combined, in what sequences they should be applied, and what their force systems and treatment times are.

International Journal of Implant Dentistry

It would be interesting to know what sequences or structures endow dZIP13 with this unique property.

eLife

Séance provides several options for affecting what sequences are used as an input to clustering and what clusters are output.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing instructions or procedures, use "what sequence" to clearly define the order in which steps should be performed to avoid confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "what sequence" when a different term such as "method" or "system" would more accurately convey the intended meaning. "What sequence" is best reserved for discussing ordered steps or events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what sequence" functions primarily as an interrogative phrase, used to inquire about the order or arrangement of something. As Ludwig AI shows, it's frequently used in questions concerning processes, events, or steps to be taken.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

51%

News & Media

43%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "what sequence" is a versatile interrogative used to inquire about the order or arrangement of items, events, or actions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in scientific and news contexts. While alternatives like "which order" or "what arrangement" exist, "what sequence" directly addresses the order of steps or events, making it suitable for clear and precise communication. It is important to avoid using this phrase if method or system is more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

which order

Focuses specifically on the arrangement or succession of items.

what order

Simplifies the phrasing while maintaining the same core meaning.

in what order

Adds a preposition for grammatical completeness without altering the meaning.

what arrangement

Replaces "sequence" with a synonym that emphasizes physical layout or organization.

what progression

Substitutes "sequence" to highlight the step-by-step nature of an unfolding process.

what series

Emphasizes a set of related events or items following one after another.

what succession

Highlights the act of following in order or the process of inheriting a role or position.

what chronology

Specifies arrangement in time order, especially as a record of events.

what scheme

Implies a structured plan or program outlining specific steps.

what layout

Focuses on physical or structural arrangement, especially in visual contexts.

FAQs

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

You can use "what sequence" to ask about the order of events or steps, as in, "What sequence should we follow to complete this project efficiently?"

What's a good alternative to "what sequence"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "what sequence" include "which order", "what order", or "what arrangement".

Is it more appropriate to use "what sequence" or "in what sequence"?

Both "what sequence" and "in what sequence" are grammatically correct and often interchangeable, but "in what sequence" may sound more formal in some contexts.

When should I use "what sequence" instead of "how"?

Use "what sequence" when you need to know the specific order of steps or events. Use "how" when you are asking about the method or manner in which something is done.