What / When> is the deadline?

[wanabee]

Dear all,

(What / When) is the deadline to hand in the report?
Next monday.

I made up the sentences. To me, 'when is the deadline...' makes sense but there're many 'what's the deadline...' version on the Internet.
I would appreciate if anyone would give some explanation about the choice of what or when?

 

[Florentia52]

"What is the deadline?" and "When is the deadline?" are both correct and commonly used, at least in AE.

 

[wanabee]

Thank you very much, Florentia52!

 

[PaulQ]

...and in BE.

 

[Egmont]

"When" asks specifically for a time, so it is correct.

"What" can ask for anything, but when it is used about a deadline - which is a time - it can only refer to a time, so it is correct also.

That is why you can use either one.

 

[wanabee]

Thank you very much, PaulQ and Egmont!

 

[Sac]

How do you ask this question when it has a date?

- Is the deadline March 8th?