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

Quand utiliser chacun en anglais, avec le sens, le registre et des exemples.

What is it

Top 2000 (courant)

What is that

Top 1000 (très courant)

What's that

FamilierTop 5000 (assez courant)
Le plus courant: What is that
 What is itWhat is thatWhat's that
Prononciation🇬🇧 //wɒt ɪz ɪt//🇺🇸 //wɑt ɪz ɪt//🇬🇧 //wɒt ɪz ðæt//🇺🇸 //wɑt ɪz ðæt//🇬🇧 //wɒts ðæt//🇺🇸 //wɑts ðæt//
SensUne question pour demander d'identifier ou d'expliquer quelque chose.A question asking for identification or explanation.Une question pour identifier quelque chose.A question asking for identification of something.Une question pour demander ce que c'est quand tu vois ou entends quelque chose.A question asking about something you see or hear.
ExempleLook at that! What is it?Look at that strange object! What is that?Look at that strange noise; what's that?
RegistreNeutreNeutreFamilier
FréquenceTop 2000 (courant)Top 1000 (très courant)Top 5000 (assez courant)
Collocationswhat 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?
Erreurs fréquentesOmitting '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.
Notes d'usageÀ utiliser dans les conversations de tous les jours quand tu demandes des précisions. À éviter dans les écrits formels.Use in everyday conversation when asking for clarification. Avoid in formal writing.Utilisé pour s'informiner sur quelque chose d'inconnu. Approprié dans la plupart des contextes, surtout dans le langage informel.Used to inquire about something unknown. Appropriate in most contexts, especially informal speech.Utilisé dans les conversations informelles. À éviter dans les contextes formels ou à l'écrit, car cela peut sembler trop familier.Used in casual conversation. Avoid in formal settings or written language, as it may seem too familiar.

Vois-le dans de vrais extraits

What is it
What is that
What's that

Questions fréquentes : What is it vs What is that vs What's that

Quelle est la différence entre What is it, What is that et 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.

Lequel est le plus courant : What is it, What is that et What's that ?

What is that est le plus courant dans l'anglais de tous les jours.

Peux-tu montrer un exemple de chacun ?

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?

Puis-je utiliser What is it, What is that et What's that de façon interchangeable ?

Pas toujours. What is it, What is that et What's that sont proches et se recoupent parfois, mais elles diffèrent par le registre, la fréquence et l'usage, donc remplacer l'une par l'autre peut changer le sens ou le ton. Regarde les différences ci-dessus avant de substituer.

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