with what

USAGE SUMMARY

"with what" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to introduce a question or inquiry about something. For example: - "Excuse me, can you please tell me with what ingredients this dish is made?" - "I am not sure with what the client's preferences are, so I will have to confirm with them first." - "Can you clarify with what time the meeting will start?" - "I would like to know with what method you plan to approach this project." - "With what tools can I repair this broken appliance?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

with 30,000 people and with 15 bureaus.

The New Yorker

Apocalypse Now, with 561.

Independent

I won with 12".

Independent

Viktor Yushchenko with 5.45%.

Encyclopedia Britannica

with 6 passengers.

The New Yorker

He finished with 27.

The New York Times - Sports

with 19 points.

The New York Times

With 3-D printing.

The New York Times

(With 40 total).

The New York Times

With R3hab and Quintino.

The New York Times - Arts

Lundqvist finished with 45.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "with what" to directly inquire about the instrument, tool, or method being used. For example, "With what tools can I fix this?"

Common error

Avoid using "with what" when you mean "what with", which expresses a reason or cause. "What with the rain, we stayed inside" is different from "With what did you clean the window?"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with what" primarily functions as an interrogative prepositional phrase. It introduces questions seeking to identify the instrument, tool, or method employed in an action or situation. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its usage in asking about means and resources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "with what" is a commonly used interrogative prepositional phrase that serves to inquire about the means, instruments, or methods used in a given situation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely employed across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While "with which" serves as a more formal alternative, "with what" maintains its relevance in both neutral and informal settings. Common errors involve confusing it with "what with", which expresses causality rather than instrumentality. Use "with what" to precisely identify the tools, resources, or methods being discussed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with which

This is a more formal and grammatically precise alternative.

by what means

This alternative emphasizes the method or process used.

by means of what

This alternative adds emphasis on the instrumentality.

using what

This alternative directly focuses on the tools or instruments employed.

with the aid of what

This alternative emphasizes the assistance or support used.

through what

This alternative highlights the channel or medium through which something is achieved.

upon what

This alternative is a slightly archaic but still valid construction.

via what

This alternative suggests a specific route or pathway.

how with

This alternative, while less common, seeks clarification on the manner in combination with the instrument.

on what basis

This alternative asks for the underlying justification or rationale.

FAQs

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

Use "with what" to ask about the means or instrument used in an action. For example, "With what did you open the door?" or "With what resources can we complete this project?"

What's the difference between "with what" and "with which"?

While similar, "with what" is generally used in more informal contexts, while "with which" is more formal and grammatically precise. Both can be used to inquire about the instrument or means, but "with which" often sounds more sophisticated.

Can "with what" be used to ask about time?

While less common, "with what time" can be used to inquire about a specific time related to an event, though it is more typical to simply ask "at what time" or "what time?"

Is it always correct to use "with what" instead of "with which"?

While "with what" is often acceptable, "with which" may be preferred in formal writing to maintain a higher level of grammatical precision. Consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing when choosing between the two.