what will it be like

USAGE SUMMARY

"what will it be like" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is often used when asking about the future state or condition of something. For example: - "I'm so excited to finally visit Paris. What will it be like?" - "I wonder what the new restaurant in town will be like." - "We're moving to a new city next month. What will the neighborhood be like?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

"Too many young people go [to university] because it's expected of them, and they don't think it through from a personal perspective – what will it be like, apart from having a good time".

The Guardian

WHAT will it be like to sack and be sacked in David Cameron's Britain?

The Economist

What will it be like?

The New York Times - Travel

What will it be like tomorrow?

The New Yorker

So what will it be like?

The Guardian - Music

What will it be like by the end?

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

But what'll it be like?

The Guardian - Film

But what exactly will it be like to work in when it launches?

TechCrunch

My worries range from the practical who will watch our baby, and how will I work through the sleep deprivation to the silly what will it be like asking my husband for money when my measly eight weeks of disability pay runs out? (For the record, he says I'm being ridiculous. His money is family money, earned to take care of all of us.

Forbes

I will have to tell you what it is like,.

The New Yorker

If you can't take it now, what will you be like when I need you?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what will it be like" when you want to explore expectations or speculate about a future scenario. It's particularly effective when prompting reflection or discussion about the unknown.

Common error

While "what will it be like" is perfectly acceptable in many contexts, consider more formal alternatives like "how will it be" or "what are the potential implications" in academic or professional settings where a more direct tone is preferred.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what will it be like" functions as an interrogative clause, typically introducing a question about the anticipated qualities or characteristics of a future experience or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is considered grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Science

1%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what will it be like" serves as a versatile interrogative clause to prompt imaginative consideration of future scenarios. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, primarily news and media. While alternatives like "how will it be" or "what are the potential implications" can offer a more formal tone, "what will it be like" remains a compelling way to explore expectations and spark discussions about the unknown.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what will it feel like

Focuses specifically on the sensory experience.

what will it look like

Emphasizes the visual aspects of the future experience.

what will it sound like

Highlights the auditory aspects.

what will it taste like

Focuses on the gustatory experience.

how will it be

A more concise and general alternative.

what is it going to be like

Adds a sense of immediacy and anticipation.

how will it feel

Similar to "what will it feel like", but more concise.

what's it like going to be

Inverts the sentence structure for a slightly different emphasis.

how might it be

Expresses a higher degree of uncertainty and speculation.

what could it be like

Introduces a possibility, rather than a certainty.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "what will it be like" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases such as "what are the potential implications", "how might the circumstances change", or "what is the anticipated outcome" depending on the specific context.

Is "what will it be like" suitable for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "what will it be like" may be too informal for some academic writing. Consider alternatives like "what are the potential consequences", or "how might this impact..." for a more appropriate tone.

What's the difference between "what will it be like" and "how will it be"?

"What will it be like" often implies a more experiential or sensory focus, asking about the qualities of a future situation. "How will it be" is a broader question that can refer to the state or condition of something in the future.

When is it best to use "what will it be like" in my writing?

Use "what will it be like" when you want to encourage speculation, exploration, or imaginative thinking about a future scenario. It is particularly effective in engaging the reader or prompting a deeper consideration of potential outcomes.