Cool MateWhat is it vs What is that
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
What is it
Top 2,000 (common)
What is that
Top 1,000 (very common)
Most common: What is that
| What is it | What is that | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //wɒt ɪz ɪt//🇺🇸 //wɑt ɪz ɪt// | 🇬🇧 //wɒt ɪz ðæt//🇺🇸 //wɑt ɪz ðæt// |
| Meaning | A question asking for identification or explanation. | A question asking for identification of something. |
| Example | Look at that! What is it? | Look at that strange object! What is that? |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| Collocations | what is it about, what is it for, can you tell me what it is | what is that noise, what is that thing, what is that smell |
| Common mistakes | Omitting 'is' (saying 'what it?'), Not using a question mark at the end, Using in inappropriate formal contexts | Omitting 'that' (e.g. saying 'What is?'), Using in overly formal contexts, Incorrect intonation in questioning |
| Usage notes | Use in everyday conversation when asking for clarification. Avoid in formal writing. | Used to inquire about something unknown. Appropriate in most contexts, especially informal speech. |
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Frequently asked questions: What is it vs What is that
What's the difference between What is it and What is that?
What is it: A question asking for identification or explanation. What is that: A question asking for identification of something.
Which is more common: What is it and What is that?
What is that is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
What is it: Look at that! What is it? What is that: Look at that strange object! What is that?
Can I use What is it and What is that interchangeably?
Not always. What is it 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.