what would you do

USAGE SUMMARY

"what would you do" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it when presenting a hypothetical situation in which you are asking the reader what choice they would make in that situation. For example, "If you won the lottery, what would you do?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What would you do now?

The New York Times

What would you do next?

The New York Times

Readers, what would you do?

The New York Times

What would you do with the show?

The New York Times

"What would you do instead?" he replied.

The New York Times

"What would you do?" she asked.

The New Yorker

What would you do on the plinth?

Independent

What would you do with the information?

The New York Times

What would you do with Scarsdale?

The New Yorker

Q: What would you do about it?

The Guardian

'What would you do then?' I asked.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what would you do" to explore potential solutions or decisions in complex situations, encouraging critical thinking.

Common error

Avoid using "what would you do" without a specific scenario. Ensure the question is tied to a concrete situation to elicit a meaningful response.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what would you do" functions as an interrogative clause, prompting a response about a hypothetical action or decision. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Examples show it's frequently used to solicit opinions or explore possible behaviors in given scenarios.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "what would you do" is a versatile and grammatically sound interrogative phrase used to solicit hypothetical actions or seek advice. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is commonly used across various contexts, from news and media to scientific discussions. The phrase functions as a prompt for reflection and exploration of potential solutions. While suitable for many registers, ensuring a clear context is crucial for effective communication. Alternatives like "how would you proceed" offer more formal options. The high frequency of examples underscores its common usage in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what should you do

This alternative replaces 'would' with 'should', suggesting a moral or advisory tone rather than a hypothetical one.

what will you do

This alternative uses 'will', shifting the focus to a future intention or prediction, rather than a hypothetical scenario.

what are you going to do

Expresses a future action and is less formal than "what would you do".

what's your course of action

More formal; inquires about a planned strategy rather than a spontaneous decision.

how would you proceed

Focuses on the method or steps someone would take in a given situation, emphasizing the process.

what's your next step

Asks about the immediate action someone will take, usually in a problem-solving context.

how do you intend to act

Inquires about someone's planned behavior or response, often in a formal or serious context.

what's your plan

Seeks to understand the overall strategy or approach someone has in mind.

what steps will you take

Focuses on specific actions someone will implement to achieve a goal.

if it were you, what then

This is a more concise, less direct way of asking the same question.

FAQs

How can I use "what would you do" in a sentence?

Use "what would you do" to ask someone about their hypothetical actions in a particular situation. For example, "If you were in my position, "what would you do"?"

What's the difference between "what would you do" and "what should you do"?

"What would you do" explores potential actions, while "what should you do" implies seeking advice or a morally correct course of action. The first is about possibility, the second about advisability.

Are there more formal alternatives to "what would you do"?

Yes, you could use phrases like "how would you proceed" or "what is your course of action" in professional contexts.

When is it appropriate to use "what would you do"?

It's appropriate in various scenarios, from casual conversations to professional discussions, to explore different perspectives and potential solutions. It works well when presenting a hypothetical situation or seeking advice.