what that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what that" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be used in informal speech or as part of a larger phrase, but it lacks clarity when isolated. Example: "I don't understand what that means."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Think what that takes".

The New Yorker

Wonder what that means?

The New Yorker

That's what that means".

Independent

They know what that means.

The New York Times

I saw what that took.

The New York Times - Health

You know what that does?

Independent

Everyone knows what that means.

The New York Times - Sports

Students wondered what that meant.

The New Yorker

You know what that meant?

The New Yorker

That's basically what that is".

The New York Times - Sports

Rondo understood what that meant.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When encountering "what that" in writing, consider it as a signal to rephrase for clarity. Aim for specific language to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "what that" as a standalone phrase; it often confuses readers. Instead, clarify the sentence to include a clear subject and verb, such as "what that refers to" or "what it signifies."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what that" functions as an interrogative fragment, often serving as an incomplete question seeking clarification or explanation. As Ludwig AI reports, it's grammatically incorrect and benefits from being replaced by phrases that provide more grammatical clarity. The examples often show a speaker trying to understand something previously mentioned.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "what that" frequently appears in various sources, including news and media, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. It serves as an interrogative fragment used to seek clarification. However, to maintain clarity and precision, particularly in formal writing, it's advisable to replace "what that" with grammatically sound alternatives like "what it means" or "what that implies". The abundance of examples found by Ludwig underscores its common usage, yet also highlights the need for careful attention to grammatical correctness in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

What it means

Replaces "that" with "it" for better grammatical flow.

What that implies

Focuses on the implications rather than a general meaning.

What that signifies

Emphasizes the symbolic meaning or importance.

What that refers to

Specifies the referent of "that".

What that indicates

Highlights the informative aspect of "that".

What that represents

Focuses on the representative nature of "that".

What that entails

Explores the consequences or requirements.

What is meant by that

Presents a more formal way of asking for clarification.

What is the meaning of that

Directly asks for the definition or interpretation.

What does that mean

Clarifies "that" to achieve an understandable meaning.

FAQs

How can I use a grammatically correct alternative to "what that"?

You can replace "what that" with phrases like "what it means", "what that implies", or "what that signifies" depending on the specific context.

Is "what that" considered grammatically correct in English?

No, "what that" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It lacks a clear structure and often needs to be rephrased for better clarity and understanding.

When is it acceptable to use "what that" in writing or speech?

While "what that" might appear in informal speech, it's best to avoid it in formal writing. Always opt for clearer alternatives such as "what it means" or "what is meant by that" for improved comprehension.

What's the difference between "what that means" and "what it means"?

"What that means" can be vague, while "what it means" is clearer because "it" refers to something specific already mentioned. Using "it" provides a more direct and grammatically sound way to seek clarification.