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

Quando usar cada um em inglês, com significado, registro e exemplos.

What is it

Top 2000 (comum)

What is that

Top 1000 (muito comum)

What's that

InformalTop 5000 (bastante comum)
Mais comum: What is that
 What is itWhat is thatWhat's that
Pronúncia🇬🇧 //wɒt ɪz ɪt//🇺🇸 //wɑt ɪz ɪt//🇬🇧 //wɒt ɪz ðæt//🇺🇸 //wɑt ɪz ðæt//🇬🇧 //wɒts ðæt//🇺🇸 //wɑts ðæt//
SignificadoUma pergunta pedindo identificação ou explicação.A question asking for identification or explanation.Uma pergunta pedindo a identificação de algo.A question asking for identification of something.Uma pergunta sobre algo que você vê ou ouve.A question asking about something you see or hear.
ExemploLook at that! What is it?Look at that strange object! What is that?Look at that strange noise; what's that?
RegistroNeutroNeutroInformal
Quão comumTop 2000 (comum)Top 1000 (muito comum)Top 5000 (bastante comum)
Colocaçõeswhat 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?
Erros comunsOmitting '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 usoUse na conversa do dia a dia ao pedir esclarecimento. Evite em escrita formal.Use in everyday conversation when asking for clarification. Avoid in formal writing.Usado para perguntar sobre algo desconhecido. Adequado na maioria dos contextos, especialmente na fala informal.Used to inquire about something unknown. Appropriate in most contexts, especially informal speech.Usado em conversas informais. Evite em ambientes formais ou na linguagem escrita, pois pode parecer muito íntimo.Used in casual conversation. Avoid in formal settings or written language, as it may seem too familiar.

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What is it
What is that
What's that

Perguntas frequentes: What is it vs What is that vs What's that

Qual é a diferença entre What is it, What is that e 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.

Qual é mais comum: What is it, What is that e What's that?

What is that é a mais comum no inglês do dia a dia.

Pode mostrar um exemplo de cada?

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?

Posso usar What is it, What is that e What's that de forma intercambiável?

Nem sempre. What is it, What is that e What's that são relacionadas e às vezes se sobrepõem, mas diferem em registro, frequência e uso, então trocar uma pela outra pode mudar o sentido ou o tom. Veja as diferenças acima antes de substituir.

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