Cool MateWhat is he doing vs What's he doing
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
What is he doing
Top 2,000 (common)
What's he doing
Top 2,000 (common)
| What is he doing | What's he doing | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //wɒt ɪz hi ˈduːɪŋ//🇺🇸 //wɑt ɪz hi ˈduɪŋ// | 🇬🇧 //wɒts hiː ˈduːɪŋ//🇺🇸 //wɑts hi ˈduɪŋ// |
| Meaning | A question asking about someone's action. | A way to ask what someone is currently doing. |
| Example | What is he doing with that strange gadget? | I wonder what's he doing right now. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | ask what he is doing, wonder what he is doing, learn what he is doing | ask what's he doing, wonder what's he doing, see what's he doing |
| Common mistakes | Forget to use 'is' instead of 'are' for singular subjects., Omit 'he' when asking about a third person., Use incorrect tense when describing ongoing actions. | Forgetting to use the contraction 'he's' instead of 'he is'., Using 'what does he doing?' instead of the correct form., Forgetting to put a question mark at the end. |
| Usage notes | Use this phrase to ask about someone's current activity. It's suitable for informal conversations but can also be used in formal contexts, especially when clarity is needed. | Use this question in conversations when you want to know about someone's activity. It's common in both casual and semi-formal contexts but may sound out of place in very formal situations. |
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Frequently asked questions: What is he doing vs What's he doing
What's the difference between What is he doing and What's he doing?
What is he doing: A question asking about someone's action. What's he doing: A way to ask what someone is currently doing.
Can you show an example of each?
What is he doing: What is he doing with that strange gadget? What's he doing: I wonder what's he doing right now.
Can I use What is he doing and What's he doing interchangeably?
Not always. What is he doing and What's he doing 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.