Cool MateWhat are we vs What is this
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
What are we
Top 2,000 (common)
What is this
Top 2,000 (common)
| What are we | What is this | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //wɒt ɑː wɪ//🇺🇸 //wɑt ɑr wi// | 🇬🇧 //wɒt ɪz ðɪs//🇺🇸 //wɑt ɪz ðɪs// |
| Meaning | A question asking about the nature of a relationship or situation. | A question asking about the identity of something. |
| Example | During a quiet moment, she asked, 'What are we?' | Excuse me, **what is this** on the table? |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | What are we doing, What are we to each other, What are we waiting for | what is this thing, what is this about, what is this supposed to be |
| Common mistakes | Using incorrect verb forms, e.g., 'What is we?', Confusion over the context, thinking it's only for romantic relationships., Incorrectly placing emphasis, making it sound accusatory. | Omitting 'is', saying 'what this?' instead, Using 'who' instead of 'what' for inanimate objects |
| Usage notes | Used to initiate a serious discussion about relationship status or feelings. Often informal among friends or romantic partners. | Used when you want clarification about an object or situation. Appropriate in both casual and formal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: What are we vs What is this
What's the difference between What are we and What is this?
What are we: A question asking about the nature of a relationship or situation. What is this: A question asking about the identity of something.
Can you show an example of each?
What are we: During a quiet moment, she asked, 'What are we?' What is this: Excuse me, **what is this** on the table?
Can I use What are we and What is this interchangeably?
Not always. What are we and What is 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.