what size

USAGE SUMMARY

"what size" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used when inquiring about the size of something, such as clothing or shoes. For example, you could write: "I'm interested in purchasing a new winter coat. What size should I get?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What size?

The New York Times

What size pieces?

The New York Times - Food

What size eggs?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But what size?

The New Yorker

What size might it be?

Independent

What size are the chips?

University of California, Berkeley

What size is a color?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"What size shoe?" she asked.

The New York Times - Style

What size is that, exactly?

The New York Times - Magazine

What size for the coffee?

The New Yorker

What size levy is appropriate?

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In technical contexts, specify units: "What size in millimeters?" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "what size" without context. Specify what you're asking about to prevent confusion. Instead of saying "What size?", ask "What size is the hard drive?"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what size" functions primarily as an interrogative phrase. It is used to solicit information about the dimensions, volume, or scale of a particular object, garment, or entity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and commonly used phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Wiki

30%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what size" is a versatile and frequently used interrogative phrase employed to inquire about dimensions, capacity, or scale. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It is observed across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Wiki, and Academia, with a neutral to informal register. To ensure clarity, provide context when using the phrase. For more formal inquiries, alternatives like "what are the dimensions?" may be appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how big

Focuses on overall dimensions, similar to asking "what size".

what dimensions

Specifically seeks measurements of length, width, and height.

what is the capacity

Inquires about the amount something can hold, relevant in contexts like containers or venues.

what volume

Asks about the amount of space an object occupies, often used in scientific or technical contexts.

how many square feet

Specifically asks about area, suitable for rooms or properties.

what is the area

Similar to "how many square feet", but more general and applicable to various shapes.

what scale

Refers to the ratio of a representation to the actual size, common in maps or models.

what gauge

Used to specify the thickness of materials like wires or sheet metal.

what measurement

General inquiry about the size or dimensions of something.

how long

Focuses specifically on length, often used for linear objects.

FAQs

How do I ask about clothing sizes?

To ask about clothing sizes, specify the item of clothing: "What size shirt do you wear?" or "What size shoe are you?". This avoids ambiguity.

What's a more formal way to inquire about dimensions?

Instead of "what size", you can use more formal alternatives such as "what are the dimensions?" or "can you provide the measurements?".

When is it appropriate to use "how big" instead of "what size"?

"How big" is generally interchangeable with "what size", but it's more commonly used when referring to overall dimensions or volume, especially when an exact size isn't critical. For example, "How big is it?" is useful in conversation to understand the overall size.

Is "what size of" grammatically correct?

While not incorrect, "what size of" can often sound awkward. It's usually better to omit "of" and simply ask "what size company?" or "what size pot to use?"