what was new

USAGE SUMMARY

"what was new" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when asking someone to tell you what changed or happened since you last saw them. For example, you might say, "Hi, John. It's been a while! What was new since I last saw you?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Image caption What was new chief of staff John Kelly thinking during the news conference?

BBC

What was new?

The New York Times

What was new was the plug".

The New York Times - Books

What was new on this trip?

The New York Times

So what was new this time around?

The New York Times

That was what was new.

The New York Times - Magazine

What was new, however, was its scale.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"What was New Labour's political economy?

The Guardian

What was new was not Gandhi's experience but his reaction.

Encyclopedia Britannica

What was new wasn't just Angelica, of course.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

What was New York City's population in 1900?

MIT Technology Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what was new" when you want to ask about changes, updates, or recent developments since a specific point in time.

Common error

Avoid using "what was new" when you should be using "what is new". "What was new" refers to something that has changed since the past, while "what is new" refers to the current state or recent occurrences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what was new" functions as an interrogative phrase used to solicit information about changes or developments since a specific point in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, and it is often employed to initiate conversations or request updates.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "what was new" is a common and grammatically sound way to inquire about updates or changes that have occurred since a particular time. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable for a wide range of contexts, spanning from casual conversations to more formal discussions. It's frequently used in news media, academic settings, and business communications to elicit information about recent developments. While versatile, it's essential to differentiate "what was new" (referring to past changes) from "what is new" (referring to current novelties) to ensure clarity. Alternatives such as "what's been happening lately" or "what's the latest" can offer similar meanings while varying the tone or emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what's been happening lately

Focuses on general recent events and occurrences.

what's the latest

Asks for the most current information or news.

what's changed recently

Specifically inquires about alterations or modifications.

what's the news

Directly asks for any news or updates.

what's different now

Highlights the contrast between the present and the past.

what developments have there been

Asks about progress or advancements.

what's been updated

Queries about the most recent updates or revisions.

what innovations have emerged

Focuses on new creations or introductions.

what breakthroughs have occurred

Specifically asks about significant advances or discoveries.

what's on the horizon

Inquires about future prospects and emerging trends.

FAQs

How can I use "what was new" in a sentence?

You can use "what was new" to ask about changes or developments that have occurred since a past event or time. For example: "So, tell me, "what was new" with the project since our last meeting?"

What's a more formal way to ask "what was new"?

In a formal setting, you might ask, "Could you please provide an update on recent developments?" or "What significant changes have occurred since our last discussion?". These alternatives are more appropriate for professional communication.

What's the difference between "what was new" and "what is new"?

"What was new" refers to something that changed or appeared in the past. "What is new" refers to things that are currently new or have just appeared. Use "what was new" when discussing past events, and "what is new" when discussing current events.

Can I use "what was new" to ask about personal updates?

Yes, you can use "what was new" in personal contexts to inquire about someone's life or experiences since you last spoke. For instance, you could ask a friend, "So, "what was new" with you since we last caught up?"