Cool MateWhat is it vs What's that vs What's this
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
What is it
What's that
What's this
| What is it | What's that | What's this | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //wɒt ɪz ɪt//🇺🇸 //wɑt ɪz ɪt// | 🇬🇧 //wɒts ðæt//🇺🇸 //wɑts ðæt// | 🇬🇧 //wɒts ðɪs//🇺🇸 //wɑts ðɪs// |
| Meaning | A question asking for identification or explanation. | A question asking about something you see or hear. | A question asking about something you see or have. |
| Example | Look at that! What is it? | Look at that strange noise; what's that? | When I saw the strange device on the table, I asked, 'What's this?' |
| Register | Neutral | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| Collocations | what is it about, what is it for, can you tell me what it is | what's that sound?, what's that over there?, what's that doing? | what's this about, what's this place, what's this doing here |
| Common mistakes | Omitting 'is' (saying 'what it?'), Not using a question mark at the end, Using in inappropriate formal contexts | Used in formal situations where a more polite inquiry is needed., Confused with 'what is that', which is more formal. | Using it with a serious tone in formal situations., Confusing it with 'what is that' which can be seen as more formal. |
| Usage notes | Use in everyday conversation when asking for clarification. Avoid in formal writing. | Used in casual conversation. Avoid in formal settings or written language, as it may seem too familiar. | Use in informal settings when you want clarification about an object or situation. Avoid in formal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: What is it vs What's that vs What's this
What's the difference between What is it, What's that, and What's this?
What is it: A question asking for identification or explanation. What's that: A question asking about something you see or hear. What's this: A question asking about something you see or have.
Which is more common: What is it, What's that, and What's this?
What's this is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
What is it: Look at that! What is it? What's that: Look at that strange noise; what's that? What's this: When I saw the strange device on the table, I asked, 'What's this?'
Can I use What is it, What's that, and What's this interchangeably?
Not always. What is it, What's that, and What's this are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.