Cool MateWhat is that vs What is this vs What's this
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
What is that
What is this
What's this
| What is that | What is this | What's this | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //wɒt ɪz ðæt//🇺🇸 //wɑt ɪz ðæt// | 🇬🇧 //wɒt ɪz ðɪs//🇺🇸 //wɑt ɪz ðɪs// | 🇬🇧 //wɒts ðɪs//🇺🇸 //wɑts ðɪs// |
| Meaning | A question asking for identification of something. | A question asking about the identity of something. | A question asking about something you see or have. |
| Example | Look at that strange object! What is that? | Excuse me, **what is this** on the table? | When I saw the strange device on the table, I asked, 'What's this?' |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| Collocations | what is that noise, what is that thing, what is that smell | what is this thing, what is this about, what is this supposed to be | what's this about, what's this place, what's this doing here |
| Common mistakes | Omitting 'that' (e.g. saying 'What is?'), Using in overly formal contexts, Incorrect intonation in questioning | Omitting 'is', saying 'what this?' instead, Using 'who' instead of 'what' for inanimate objects | Using it with a serious tone in formal situations., Confusing it with 'what is that' which can be seen as more formal. |
| Usage notes | Used to inquire about something unknown. Appropriate in most contexts, especially informal speech. | Used when you want clarification about an object or situation. Appropriate in both casual and formal contexts. | 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 that vs What is this vs What's this
What's the difference between What is that, What is this, and What's this?
What is that: A question asking for identification of something. What is this: A question asking about the identity of something. What's this: A question asking about something you see or have.
Can you show an example of each?
What is that: Look at that strange object! What is that? What is this: Excuse me, **what is this** on the table? What's this: When I saw the strange device on the table, I asked, 'What's this?'
Can I use What is that, What is this, and What's this interchangeably?
Not always. What is that, What is this, 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.