Cool MateWhat is this about vs What's the meaning of this
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
What is this about
Top 3,000 (common)
What's the meaning of this
Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Most common: What is this about
| What is this about | What's the meaning of this | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //wɒt ɪz ðɪs əˈbaʊt//🇺🇸 //wɑt ɪz ðɪs əˈbaʊt// | 🇬🇧 //wɒts ðə ˈmiːnɪŋ əv ðɪs//🇺🇸 //wɑts ðə ˈminɪŋ əv ðɪs// |
| Meaning | A question asking for information or clarification about a topic. | What does this mean? |
| Example | When I saw the poster, I thought, 'What is this about?' | Can you explain what's the meaning of this diagram? |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| Collocations | ask what this is about, wonder what this is about, discuss what this is about | what's the meaning of life, what's the meaning of this word, what's the meaning of love |
| Common mistakes | Use 'what this about' instead of 'what is this about'., Omit 'this' when asking a question., Use inappropriately in very formal situations. | Incorrectly phrasing it as a statement instead of a question., Using it in overly formal situations., Omitting 'this' when referencing something specific. |
| Usage notes | Use when you want to understand the main idea or purpose of something. It's appropriate in most contexts but might sound too informal in very formal settings. | Use when asking for clarification or explanation. It's appropriate in both casual and formal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: What is this about vs What's the meaning of this
What's the difference between What is this about and What's the meaning of this?
What is this about: A question asking for information or clarification about a topic. What's the meaning of this: What does this mean?
Which is more common: What is this about and What's the meaning of this?
What is this about is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
What is this about: When I saw the poster, I thought, 'What is this about?' What's the meaning of this: Can you explain what's the meaning of this diagram?
Can I use What is this about and What's the meaning of this interchangeably?
Not always. What is this about and What's the meaning of 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.