what times

USAGE SUMMARY

"what times" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is most commonly used in questions to ask about specific points or moments in time. For example, "What times are the trains running tomorrow?" or "What times are your office hours?" Another example could be, "Could you please let me know what times the meeting will take place?" It can also be used to express confusion or disbelief, such as "What times are we living in when a reality TV star can become president?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Think what times these are.

The New Yorker

And what times they are.

The Guardian - Arts

What times we live in.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

That is what Times editors told me.

The New York Times

At what times have immigration rates fallen, and why?

The New York Times

What times those were, and how the passions swelled.

The New Yorker

Scrooge is even told at what times they will appear.

The Guardian - Books

How often and at what times will the hour and minute hand meet?

The New York Times

They had studied the targets' routines: where they would be, at what times.

Independent

It's about what players like to do at what times of day.

The Guardian - Tech

You can only hear what's playing, where and at what times.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what times" to inquire about specific instances or periods, ensuring clarity in your request or statement.

Common error

When using "what times", be precise about the context to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "what times are the trains running?" rather than just "what times?".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what times" primarily functions as an interrogative phrase, used to elicit information about specific instances or periods. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

33%

Science

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what times" is a grammatically correct and commonly used interrogative phrase to inquire about specific instances or periods. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts, including news, media, and scientific writing. When using "what times", clarity is key: specify the context to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "when" or "at what hour" for varied emphasis. The consistent usage and diversity of sources underscore its reliability in asking about schedules, availability, or recurring events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

when

Focuses on the specific point in time or occasion.

at what hour

Emphasizes the specific hour at which something occurs.

during which hours

Highlights the duration or period in which something happens.

what instances

Refers to specific occurrences or events.

which moments

Emphasizes particular points in time.

what periods

Focuses on longer durations or spans of time.

during what intervals

Highlights the recurring or regular periods.

on what occasions

Refers to specific events or instances when something happens.

at what stage

Emphasizes a specific point or phase in a process or timeline.

in what era

Refers to a specific period in history.

FAQs

How can I use "what times" in a sentence?

You can use "what times" to ask about specific moments or periods. For example, "What times does the movie start?" or "What times are you available?"

What's a more formal way to say "what times"?

In more formal contexts, you might use phrases like "at what hour" or "during which hours" to maintain a professional tone.

Is it correct to say "what time" instead of "what times"?

The choice between "what time" and "what times" depends on whether you're asking about a single point in time or multiple instances. Use "what time" for a single event and "what times" for multiple events or a range of times. For example, "What time does the meeting begin?" versus "What times are the buses running?"

When is it appropriate to use "what times" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "what times" when you need to specify multiple instances or periods within a schedule, plan, or set of instructions. For example, when scheduling events or outlining shift hours.