Cool MateWhat is it vs What is that vs What's that vs What's this
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
What is it
What is that
What's that
What's this
| What is it | What is that | What's that | What's this | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //wɒt ɪz ɪt//🇺🇸 //wɑt ɪz ɪt// | 🇬🇧 //wɒt ɪz ðæt//🇺🇸 //wɑt ɪz ðæt// | 🇬🇧 //wɒts ðæt//🇺🇸 //wɑts ðæt// | 🇬🇧 //wɒts ðɪs//🇺🇸 //wɑts ðɪs// |
| Meaning | A question asking for identification or explanation. | A question asking for identification of something. | A question asking about something you see or hear. | A question asking about something you see or have. |
| Example | Look at that! What is it? | Look at that strange object! What is that? | Look at that strange noise; what's that? | When I saw the strange device on the table, I asked, 'What's this?' |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 5,000 (fairly 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 | what's that sound?, what's that over there?, what's that doing? | what's this about, what's this place, what's this doing here |
| 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 | Used in formal situations where a more polite inquiry is needed., Confused with 'what is that', which is more formal. | Using it with a serious tone in formal situations., Confusing it with 'what is that' which can be seen as more formal. |
| 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. | Used in casual conversation. Avoid in formal settings or written language, as it may seem too familiar. | 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 it vs What is that vs What's that vs What's this
What's the difference between What is it, What is that, What's that, and What's this?
What is it: A question asking for identification or explanation. What is that: A question asking for identification of something. What's that: A question asking about something you see or hear. What's this: A question asking about something you see or have.
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? What's that: Look at that strange noise; what's that? What's this: When I saw the strange device on the table, I asked, 'What's this?'
Can I use What is it, What is that, What's that, and What's this interchangeably?
Not always. What is it, What is that, What's that, 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.