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

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)

What's this

Top 1000 (très courant)
 What is itWhat is thatWhat's thatWhat's this
Prononciation🇬🇧 //wɒt ɪz ɪt//🇺🇸 //wɑt ɪz ɪt//🇬🇧 //wɒt ɪz ðæt//🇺🇸 //wɑt ɪz ðæt//🇬🇧 //wɒts ðæt//🇺🇸 //wɑts ðæt//🇬🇧 //wɒts ðɪs//🇺🇸 //wɑts ðɪs//
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.Une question pour savoir ce que c'est quand tu vois ou as quelque chose.A question asking about something you see or have.
ExempleLook 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?'
RegistreNeutreNeutreFamilierNeutre
FréquenceTop 2000 (courant)Top 1000 (très courant)Top 5000 (assez courant)Top 1000 (très 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?what's this about, what's this place, what's this doing here
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.Using it with a serious tone in formal situations., Confusing it with 'what is that' which can be seen as 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.Utilise ça dans des situations informelles quand tu veux des précisions sur un objet ou une situation. Évite-le dans des contextes formels.Use in informal settings when you want clarification about an object or situation. Avoid in formal contexts.

Vois-le dans de vrais extraits

What is it
What is that
What's that
What's this

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

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

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? What's this: When I saw the strange device on the table, I asked, 'What's this?'

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

Pas toujours. What is it, What is that, What's that et What's this 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.