It’s a question we’ve all asked, probably countless times, from childhood curiosity to adult bewilderment: "What is this?" It seems so straightforward, doesn't it? Yet, delving a little deeper reveals some fascinating nuances in how we form and use this fundamental inquiry in English.
At its heart, the correct way to ask "What is this?" is precisely that: "What is this?" This structure follows the standard pattern for a direct question in English, where the auxiliary verb "is" comes before the subject "this." It’s the go-to phrase when you genuinely want to identify an object or concept right in front of you. Think of a child pointing at a strange bug, or you encountering an unfamiliar gadget – "What is this?" is your immediate, natural response.
Now, you might have seen or heard variations, and that’s where things get interesting. For instance, "What's this?" is simply a contracted, more casual version of "What is this?" The apostrophe in "What's" stands in for the missing "i" in "is." It’s perfectly acceptable in everyday conversation, making the question flow even more smoothly. It’s like saying "It's" instead of "It is" – a common linguistic shortcut that makes our speech feel more natural.
But what about "What this is?" This phrasing, while containing the same words, fundamentally changes the grammatical role. "What this is" follows a statement structure, not a question structure. You wouldn't typically use it on its own to ask for identification. Instead, it functions as a subordinate clause, often appearing within another sentence. For example, you might say, "Can you tell me what this is?" or "I'm not sure what this is." In these cases, the question is embedded within a larger statement or request. The reference material highlights this distinction clearly: "what is this?" is for direct questions, while "what this is" is for indirect questions or statements.
So, why the confusion? Sometimes, in very informal spoken English, or perhaps in learner contexts, you might hear or see "What this is?" used as a direct question. However, from a grammatical standpoint, it's considered incorrect for direct questioning. The reference materials consistently point out that the correct interrogative structure for asking "What is this?" requires the inversion of the subject and verb: "What is this?" or its contracted form, "What's this?"
It’s a small detail, but understanding this difference helps us communicate more precisely. It’s not just about knowing the words; it’s about knowing how to arrange them to convey exactly what we mean. Whether you're a beginner learning the ropes of English or a seasoned speaker, a quick refresher on these fundamental question structures can always be helpful. After all, clarity in communication is key, and sometimes, the simplest questions have the most interesting grammatical stories to tell.
