what something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what something" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be used in informal contexts or as part of a larger phrase, but it typically requires additional context to be understandable. Example: "I don't know what something is supposed to mean in this context."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For what? Something.

The New Yorker

Jane knows what something means.

The New York Times - Books

"They know with me I don't care what something costs".

The New Yorker

If you ask him what something is, he knows.

The New Yorker

So if you don't know what something means, ask.

Independent

But what "something new" was I going to try today?

The Guardian - Travel

I picture what something might look like in that space".

The New York Times

Presumably, he'll get back to us on what "something" is.

The New Yorker

"Unfortunately, what something like this does is turn people off to eating out," Mr. Colicchio said.

The New York Times

Undaunted, the defence minister, Roberta Pinotti, hinted the next day at what "something more" might be.

The Economist

In these cases, it can be helpful to consider what something is not.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you're referring to an object or concept without naming it directly, use grammatically correct phrases like "what it is" or "what that means" to avoid confusion.

Common error

Don't use "what something" in formal writing. This construction is generally considered ungrammatical. Instead, use "what it is" or "what that is" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what something" acts as a fragment that introduces a noun clause, but it requires completion to function grammatically in a sentence. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically incorrect but frequent. For example, "If you don't know what something means, ask."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Academia

29%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "what something" appears frequently across various sources as shown by Ludwig, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI highlights this point by suggesting that "what something" does not convey a clear meaning in written English. For clearer and more grammatically sound communication, alternatives like "what it is" or "what that means" are recommended. The phrase occurs most frequently in news and media, followed by academic contexts, but its informal nature makes it unsuitable for formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what it is

Replaces "something" with the pronoun "it" for grammatical correctness.

what that is

Substitutes "something" with "that" for more specific reference and improved clarity.

what it means

Focuses on the meaning or significance of an unspecified subject, instead of the thing itself.

what this is

Replaces 'something' with 'this', adding a sense of immediacy or direct reference.

what that means

Emphasizes the meaning of a previously mentioned or understood topic.

what one thing is

Clarifies the subject as a single entity, improving specificity.

what a thing is

Uses the indefinite article 'a' to refer to the nature of something

what its purpose is

Shifts the focus to the intended function or aim of the subject.

what the item is

Uses more formal vocabulary.

what the subject is

Replaces 'something' with a more formal and academic term: 'the subject'.

FAQs

What is a more grammatically sound alternative to "what something"?

Alternatives such as "what it is" or "what that is" offer grammatical clarity.

When is it acceptable to use the phrase "what something"?

While not grammatically ideal, the phrase "what something" might appear in informal contexts, but it is generally better to use a more precise construction.

Is there a difference between "what something is" and "what it is"?

"What something is" is often considered grammatically incorrect. Instead, "what it is" is the preferred form in most contexts.

How can I clarify a sentence that includes "what something"?

Replace "what something" with a clearer phrase like "what it means", depending on the intended meaning, to improve readability and grammatical correctness.