Some What vs. Somewhat
“Somewhat” is the standard one-word adverb meaning “to some degree.” Writing “some what” does not represent that adverb; two separate words are possible only when “some” and “what” independently belong to a different grammatical construction.
Use the one-word adverb “somewhat” when you mean “to some degree.” Do not split that standard adverb into “some what.”
Key details
Further guidance
Core difference
Use “somewhat” as the degree adverb meaning “to some degree.”
Fast Test
If the phrase can be replaced by “to some degree,” write “somewhat” as one word.
Usage Boundary
Do not treat every adjacent occurrence of “some” and “what” as an error; they can be separate words when they perform separate grammatical roles, but that is not the adverb “somewhat.”
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- somewhat — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Direct dictionary evidence for somewhat as the single-word adverb meaning to some degree.