Cool MateWhat is that vs What is this
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
What is that
Top 1,000 (very common)
What is this
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: What is that
| What is that | What is this | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //wɒt ɪz ðæt//🇺🇸 //wɑt ɪz ðæt// | 🇬🇧 //wɒt ɪz ðɪs//🇺🇸 //wɑt ɪz ðɪs// |
| Meaning | A question asking for identification of something. | A question asking about the identity of something. |
| Example | Look at that strange object! What is that? | Excuse me, **what is this** on the table? |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | what is that noise, what is that thing, what is that smell | what is this thing, what is this about, what is this supposed to be |
| Common mistakes | Omitting 'that' (e.g. saying 'What is?'), Using in overly formal contexts, Incorrect intonation in questioning | Omitting 'is', saying 'what this?' instead, Using 'who' instead of 'what' for inanimate objects |
| Usage notes | Used to inquire about something unknown. Appropriate in most contexts, especially informal speech. | 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 is that vs What is this
What's the difference between What is that and What is this?
What is that: A question asking for identification of something. What is this: A question asking about the identity of something.
Which is more common: What is that and What is this?
What is that is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
What is that: Look at that strange object! What is that? What is this: Excuse me, **what is this** on the table?
Can I use What is that and What is this interchangeably?
Not always. What is that 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.