Cool MateWhat ever is that vs What is going on vs What is that
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
What ever is that
What is going on
What is that
| What ever is that | What is going on | What is that | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈwɒt ˈɛvə ɪz ðæt//🇺🇸 //ˈwɑt ˈɛvər ɪz ðæt// | 🇬🇧 //wɒt ɪz ˈɡəʊɪŋ ɒn//🇺🇸 //wɑt ɪz ˈɡoʊɪŋ ɑn// | 🇬🇧 //wɒt ɪz ðæt//🇺🇸 //wɑt ɪz ðæt// |
| Meaning | A phrase used to express disbelief or confusion about something. | What is happening? | A question asking for identification of something. |
| Example | When I saw the strange machine, I thought, 'What ever is that?' | Hey, what is going on with the project? | Look at that strange object! What is that? |
| Register | Informal | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| Collocations | What ever is that object, What ever is that noise, What ever is that smell | what is going on with, what is going on here, what is going on in the world | what is that noise, what is that thing, what is that smell |
| Common mistakes | Using it in a formal setting., Mispronouncing 'whatever' as 'what ever'., Using it without proper context. | Using it in a formal context, such as in business meetings., Confusing it with 'what's going on' and using 'what is going on' incorrectly., Forgetting to use it as a question, making it a statement instead. | Omitting 'that' (e.g. saying 'What is?'), Using in overly formal contexts, Incorrect intonation in questioning |
| Usage notes | Usually used in casual conversation. Can show surprise or disapproval. Not suitable for formal contexts. | Use in casual conversation to ask about current situations. Avoid in very formal settings. | Used to inquire about something unknown. Appropriate in most contexts, especially informal speech. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: What ever is that vs What is going on vs What is that
What's the difference between What ever is that, What is going on, and What is that?
What ever is that: A phrase used to express disbelief or confusion about something. What is going on: What is happening? What is that: A question asking for identification of something.
Can you show an example of each?
What ever is that: When I saw the strange machine, I thought, 'What ever is that?' What is going on: Hey, what is going on with the project? What is that: Look at that strange object! What is that?
Can I use What ever is that, What is going on, and What is that interchangeably?
Not always. What ever is that, What is going on, and What is that 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.