what time are we

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what time are we" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be an incomplete thought and lacks clarity without additional context. Example: "What time are we supposed to meet for dinner?"

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"What time are we leaving, Jane?" barks one to the other.

The Guardian - Film

"Was I supposed to do that today?"... "What time are we supposed to be there again?"... "Honey, where's the remote?" I repeated the phrases while sitting in the canoe, practicing for married life.

The New York Times - Sports

Me: What time are we leaving?

Huffington Post

"What time are we meeting," "what's the address," that kind of thing.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

What time are the Emmys?

Los Angeles Times

What time are the Oscars?

Los Angeles Times

Ry Cooder said, "What time is the sound check?" "We're all supposed to meet in the lobby at two-thirty," Joachim said, looking at his watch.

The New Yorker

Sometimes it can be hard to tell what time is "work" and what time is "time off," so we try to be organized with our time as much as creative people can be.

Huffington Post

What time was it?

The New Yorker

What time was he awake?

The New Yorker

What time is it on?

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure clarity by adding a verb or context to the phrase. Instead of just saying “what time are we”, specify what you are referring to such as, "What time are we leaving?"

Common error

Avoid using the phrase without specifying the action or event you're asking about. Without additional context, it can be confusing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase “what time are we” functions as an interrogative phrase, typically used to inquire about the scheduled time for a particular activity or event. However, according to Ludwig, it's often grammatically incomplete without additional context. The included examples clarify the intended action, like "What time are we leaving?".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase “what time are we” aims to inquire about the timing of an event, Ludwig indicates that it is grammatically incomplete and requires additional context for clarity. The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media sources. To ensure clear communication, it’s advisable to add a verb clarifying the specific action or event you're asking about, such as “What time are we leaving?” or “What time are we meeting?”. Alternatives such as "what time is it", or "when are we going" may be more appropriate in certain contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what time are we expected

Implies there's an expectation or arrangement already in place.

what time do we leave

More specific to departures or leaving a place.

what's the time for our appointment

More formal and specific to scheduled appointments.

what time is it

Focuses on the current time, rather than a scheduled event.

at what time should we arrive

Emphasizes the arrival time at a destination.

when are we going

Inquires about the date or day of departure or an event, not the specific hour.

what time is the event

Focuses on the specific start time of an event.

when should we meet

Focuses on suggesting or deciding upon a time to convene.

what's the designated time

Refers to a previously agreed or set time for an activity.

what's our schedule

Asks about a broader sequence of events, not a precise time.

FAQs

How can I make the phrase "what time are we" grammatically correct?

To correct "what time are we", add a verb to clarify the question. For instance, use "what time are we leaving?", "what time are we meeting?", or "what time are we expected to arrive?"

What's a more formal way to ask about the time of an event?

Instead of "what time are we", you could ask, "at what time are we scheduled to begin?" or "what is the designated time for our meeting?"

What's the difference between "what time are we meeting" and "when are we meeting"?

"What time are we meeting" inquires about the specific hour and minute of the meeting, while "when are we meeting" asks about the day or general time frame.

Is it okay to use "what time are we" in casual conversation?

While understandable in very informal settings, it's better to add context for clarity. For example, you could say "what time are we heading out?" Even in casual contexts, precision prevents misunderstandings.