What is it vs What is that vs What's that

Cuándo usar cada una en inglés, con significado, registro y ejemplos.

What is it

Top 2000 (común)

What is that

Top 1000 (muy común)

What's that

InformalTop 5000 (bastante común)
Más común: What is that
 What is itWhat is thatWhat's that
Pronunciación🇬🇧 //wɒt ɪz ɪt//🇺🇸 //wɑt ɪz ɪt//🇬🇧 //wɒt ɪz ðæt//🇺🇸 //wɑt ɪz ðæt//🇬🇧 //wɒts ðæt//🇺🇸 //wɑts ðæt//
SignificadoUna pregunta para identificar o explicar algo.A question asking for identification or explanation.Una pregunta para identificar algo.A question asking for identification of something.Una pregunta sobre algo que ves o escuchas.A question asking about something you see or hear.
EjemploLook at that! What is it?Look at that strange object! What is that?Look at that strange noise; what's that?
RegistroNeutralNeutralInformal
Qué tan comúnTop 2000 (común)Top 1000 (muy común)Top 5000 (bastante común)
Colocacioneswhat is it about, what is it for, can you tell me what it iswhat is that noise, what is that thing, what is that smellwhat's that sound?, what's that over there?, what's that doing?
Errores comunesOmitting 'is' (saying 'what it?'), Not using a question mark at the end, Using in inappropriate formal contextsOmitting 'that' (e.g. saying 'What is?'), Using in overly formal contexts, Incorrect intonation in questioningUsed in formal situations where a more polite inquiry is needed., Confused with 'what is that', which is more formal.
Notas de usoSe usa en conversaciones cotidianas para pedir aclaración. Evitar en escritura formal.Use in everyday conversation when asking for clarification. Avoid in formal writing.Se usa para preguntar sobre algo desconocido. Es apropiado en la mayoría de los contextos, especialmente en el habla informal.Used to inquire about something unknown. Appropriate in most contexts, especially informal speech.Se usa en conversaciones informales. Evítalo en entornos formales o escritos, ya que puede parecer demasiado familiar.Used in casual conversation. Avoid in formal settings or written language, as it may seem too familiar.

Míralo en clips reales

What is it
What is that
What's that

Preguntas frecuentes: What is it vs What is that vs What's that

¿Cuál es la diferencia entre What is it, What is that y What's that?

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.

¿Cuál es más común: What is it, What is that y What's that?

What is that es la más común en el inglés cotidiano.

¿Puedes mostrar un ejemplo de cada una?

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?

¿Puedo usar What is it, What is that y What's that indistintamente?

No siempre. What is it, What is that y What's that están relacionadas y a veces se solapan, pero difieren en registro, frecuencia y uso, así que cambiar una por otra puede alterar el significado o el tono. Revisa las diferencias de arriba antes de sustituir.

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