what so called

USAGE SUMMARY

"what so called" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you need to refer to something as terms that are commonly used, but you doubt the accuracy of those terms. For example, "The myth of the noble savage, what so called, is typically used to describe a romanticized version of pre-colonial life."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The mostly widely used privacy model of these works is adapted from what so called k-anonymity [28], [29], which requires that an individual should not be identifiable from a group of size smaller than k based on their quasi-identifies (QIDs), i.e., a set of attributes that can be used to uniquely identify the individuals.

EPJ Data Science

Don't get caught up in what so called "experts" say you have to do -- whether you hike, bike, swim, surf, play lacrosse or do yoga, the most important thing is that you find something you like and that you get active and stay active.

HuffPost

At the same time, we have learned from the OMIC technologies that what so called non-coding portion of the human genome plays a fundamental role in regulating the expression and the activity of the genomic coding regions [ 5].

Aging

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

We can determine what the so called 'bunker fuels' are from the data here.

The Guardian

But isn't all that exactly what so-called progressive Democrats are supposed to do?

The Guardian - Opinion

We need to recognize that nature, including human nature, is far richer than what so-called naturalism chooses to admit as natural.

The New York Times

And as I'm disabled, I should welcome them – greet with open arms this opportunity to show the world what so-called disabled people can do.

The Guardian - Opinion

If there's one thing to learn from new versions of Apple's mobile software, iOS, it might be that everyday people don't care about what so-called tech influencers have to say.

The New York Times

You might, though, have better luck choosing for a close relation, because she would probably have an MHC similar to your own.The research also raises the question of what so-called unisex perfumes are for.

The Economist

"We will begin to get out information on exactly who George W. Bush is and what so-called compassionate conservatism is in terms of wrecking workers' rights and workplace protections," Mr. Rosenthal said.

The New York Times

It is good policy and good politics, say Powell aides, because the vast majority of Americans and American Jews (no matter what so-called Jewish leaders say) want to see this conflict resolved, provided Israel is treated fairly.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When incorporating "what so called" in your writing, maintain a neutral tone to prevent biased interpretations of your message.

Common error

Avoid using "what so called" excessively in formal academic papers or professional reports, as it can come across as dismissive or overly informal. Opt for more neutral phrasing in such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what so called" functions as a qualifier, adding a layer of skepticism or reservation to the term it precedes. As Ludwig AI shows, this phrase is often used when the speaker or writer wants to distance themselves slightly from the term.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "what so called" is used to introduce a term with a degree of skepticism or reservation. Although grammatically correct, it is not as common as the shorter "so-called". Ludwig AI analysis indicates that this phrase appears primarily in news and scientific contexts, where it serves to prompt critical consideration of the term's validity. While acceptable, writers should be mindful of overusing it in formal contexts, where a more neutral tone is preferred. Alternative phrases such as "so-called" or "what is termed" can often serve the same purpose with greater conciseness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

so-called

Omits "what", creating a more standard and concise adjectival phrase.

what is termed

Replaces "so called" with a more formal and direct expression.

what others refer to as

Expands the phrase to explicitly indicate that the term is used by others.

what some designate as

Uses "designate" to suggest a specific act of naming or labeling.

what is commonly known as

Highlights the widespread but potentially inaccurate use of the term.

the thing people call

Simplified version using a more colloquial tone.

what one might term

Adds a hypothetical element, suggesting the term is just one possible label.

the name people give to

Focuses on the act of naming rather than the term itself.

ostensibly named

This alternative shifts the focus to the act of naming and insinuates a degree of skepticism.

purportedly known as

Emphasizes the supposed or alleged nature of the term.

FAQs

How can I use "what so called" in a sentence?

You can use "what so called" to express skepticism or reservation about a commonly used term. For example, "The value of "what so called" 'organic' food is often debated".

What phrases are similar to "what so called"?

Similar phrases include "so-called", "what is termed", or "what others refer to as". Each conveys a slightly different nuance of skepticism or distance from the term being used.

Is it correct to use "what so called" in academic writing?

While grammatically correct, using "what so called" in academic writing should be done cautiously. It can imply a degree of skepticism that may not be appropriate for all contexts. Ensure your tone remains objective and professional.

What's the difference between "what so called" and "so-called"?

"What so called" is a slightly more verbose way of saying "so-called". The latter is more common and generally preferred for its conciseness and directness. However, "what so called" can sometimes add a subtle emphasis on the questioning aspect.