Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'What is this?' to identify objects near you and 'What is that?' for objects further away.
- Use 'What' to start the question for things. Example: 'What is this?'
- Use 'is' for single objects. Example: 'What is that?'
- Use 'this' for things you can touch; 'that' for things further away.
- Shorten 'What is' to 'What's' in casual speech. Example: 'What's this?'
Overview
this、that、these和those。它们是你用来询问任何你能看到或指到的东西的超级简单工具。掌握它们是英语学习初期的重大胜利之一。能够终于问出“这是什么？”并得到一个真正的答案，而不仅仅是一个困惑的表情，感觉棒极了。What is this?。如果你看着树上高处的一些鸟，你问 What are those?。这就像是你语言的GPS。你在准确地告诉听者往哪里看，以及他们应该寻找多少东西。从在市场购物到问朋友他桌上那个奇怪的小玩意儿，这都是一项基本技能。How This Grammar Works
near（近）vs. far（远）。另一个轴是数量：singular（一个）vs. plural（多于一个）。你的任务就是选择适合正确方格的词。This：用于指一个离你近的东西。近意味着在你伸手可及的范围内，或者就在你旁边。如果你能摸到它，那它很可能就是this。That：用于指一个离你远的东西。“远”可以指房间的另一头、街对面，或者就是不靠近你。如果你需要用整条手臂去指，那这通常意味着你需要用that。These：用于指多个离你近的东西。它是this的复数形式。所以，如果你拿着三本书，它们就是thesebooks。Those：用于指多个离你远的东西。它是that的复数形式。如果你看到商店另一头架子上有一些很酷的鞋子，你会指着说你喜欢thoseshoes。
this, that），我们用 is。对于复数的东西（these, those），我们用 are。这是一个固定搭配。你不能混用！这听起来可能有点复杂，但一旦你用过几次，它就会变成自然反应。你甚至不需要去思考它。这就像学骑自行车，不过是用来指东西的。
Formation Pattern
What。
is。对复数物品用 are。
this、that、these 或 those。
? 来表示你正在提问。
What are this?，因为 are 用于复数，而 this 用于单数。它们就是不搭。把它想象成一个密码；你必须输入得完全正确才能生效。
When To Use It
- 购物：你在一个农贸市场，看到一个长相奇怪的水果。你指着它问摊主：
Excuse me, what is this? - 探索一个新城市：你看到远处有一座高大而有趣的建筑。你转身问你的旅伴：
Wow, what is that? - 在朋友家：你朋友的桌子上有一些新的科技产品。你把它们拿起来问：
Cool! What are these? - 看照片：你在Instagram上刷朋友的度假照片。你看到一张照片背景里有一些有趣的装饰品，然后评论道：
What are those in the background? They look amazing. - 点餐：菜单上有图片。你指着一道看起来很美味的菜问服务员：
What is this?，想知道它叫什么。 - 学习新词汇：当你和母语者在一起时，你可以指着任何东西问。这是学习你周围事物名称的最快方法。就像拥有一个现实世界的词典。
Common Mistakes
- 1混淆单数和复数动词：这是最常见的错误。记住：
is用于一个，are用于多个。就这么简单。
- ✗
What is these? - ✓
What are these? - ✗
What are that? - ✓
What is that?
- 1混淆
this和these：元音发音有点相似，所以很容易搞混。This的 'i' 是短元音。These的 'ee' 是长元音。大声练习发音：this,these。
- ✗ 指着一本书：
What is these? - ✓ 指着一本书：
What is this?
- 1对近处的东西用
that：如果你能摸到它，它就是this。对自己手里的东西用that会听起来有点奇怪，好像你想和它保持距离。也许你手里拿着什么恶心的东西时会这么用，但也就这样了！
- 1忘记动词：在某些语言里，你可以只说
What this?。但在英语里，你真的需要动词（is或are）。没有它，句子感觉就不完整。
- ✗
What this? - ✓
What is this?
Contrast With Similar Patterns
What is this? 是个很好的问题，但它不适用于所有情况。知道何时使用一个不同但相似的问题很重要。What is this?vs.Who is this?：我们对事物和物品用what。我们对人用who。如果你指着一个人问What is this?，这听起来会非常粗鲁，就像你在说他们是个东西。在介绍人或在照片里问关于他们的问题时，一定要用who。- ✓
This is my friend, Sarah.→Who is she? - ✗
This is my dog, Max.→Who is it?(对动物用What，虽然有些宠物主人会用who)
What is this?vs.Which is it?：当我们问一个有无限可能答案的开放式问题时，我们用what。当我们让某人从一个小的、特定的选项集中选择时，我们用which。如果你看到一个奇怪的物体，你问What is this?。如果一个朋友让你在红笔和蓝笔之间选择，而你想知道他的偏好，你可以问Which one is yours?
- 回答问题：当有人问
What is this?时，你用It is a...或That is a...来回答。你通常不重复this这个词。 - 问：
What is this?(拿着一支笔) - 答：
It's a pen.(更常见) - 答：
That's a pen.(也常见) - 答：
This is a pen.(不太常见，听起来有点像在纠正对方)
Quick FAQ
this 或 that 吗？I love this idea! 或 That sounds like a great plan.。This 指的是刚刚提到的想法，而 that 可以指稍早前提到的东西。this/these。如果感觉它在“那边”，就用 that/those。即使你有时弄错了，别人也能理解你。What is this? 通常是完全可以接受的，并被理解为一种学习工具。只要注意场合就行。What are those?，我该如何回答？They are... 或 Those are... 来回答。例如，They are my new shoes.。这是用 It is... 回答的复数形式。3. Basic Question Structure
| Question Word | Verb (is) | Demonstrative | Punctuation |
|---|---|---|---|
|
What
|
is
|
this
|
?
|
|
What
|
is
|
that
|
?
|
|
What
|
is
|
it
|
?
|
Contractions (Spoken English)
| Full Form | Contraction | Usage |
|---|---|---|
|
What is this?
|
What's this?
|
Common/Casual
|
|
What is that?
|
What's that?
|
Common/Casual
|
|
What is it?
|
What's it?
|
Rare (usually 'What is it?')
|
Meanings
The fundamental way to ask for the name or identity of an object in English.
Physical Identification
Asking about a physical object you can see or touch.
“What is this on the table?”
“What is that in the sky?”
Abstract Inquiry
Asking about a concept, idea, or situation.
“What is this 'Bitcoin'?”
“What is that noise?”
Rhetorical Disbelief
Expressing shock or disapproval about something someone has done or presented.
“What is this?! Your room is a mess!”
“What is this behavior?”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Near Object
|
What + is + this?
|
What is this? (holding a phone)
|
|
Far Object
|
What + is + that?
|
What is that? (pointing at a star)
|
|
Contraction
|
What's + this/that?
|
What's that noise?
|
|
With Adjective
|
What is + this + [adj] + [noun]?
|
What is this blue thing?
|
|
Short Answer
|
It is a/an + [noun]
|
It is an apple.
|
|
Negative (Clarification)
|
What is this? It isn't a...
|
What is this? It isn't a pen, it's a pencil.
|
正式程度
Could you tell me what this object is? (General)
What is this? (General)
What's this? (General)
What's this thingy? (General)
This vs. That
Choosing the Right Word
Can you touch it?
按水平分级的例句
What is this?
What is this?
What is that?
What is that?
What's this?
What's this?
What is this? It is a cat.
What is this? It is a cat.
What is that red box?
What is that red box?
What is this in English?
What is this in English?
What is that sound?
What is that sound?
What's that over there?
What's that over there?
What is this 'special offer'?
What is this 'special offer'?
What is that supposed to be?
What is that supposed to be?
What is this feeling in my heart?
What is this feeling in my heart?
What is this mess in the kitchen?
What is this mess in the kitchen?
What is this if not a miracle?
What is this if not a miracle?
What is that smell coming from the basement?
What is that smell coming from the basement?
What is this sudden change of heart?
What is this sudden change of heart?
What is this document you've sent me?
What is this document you've sent me?
What is this fascination with the past?
What is this fascination with the past?
What is this 'new reality' we are facing?
What is this 'new reality' we are facing?
What is that but a mere shadow of the truth?
What is that but a mere shadow of the truth?
What is this obsession with productivity?
What is this obsession with productivity?
What is this 'self' that philosophers debate?
What is this 'self' that philosophers debate?
What is this if not the ultimate betrayal of trust?
What is this if not the ultimate betrayal of trust?
What is that peculiar light on the horizon?
What is that peculiar light on the horizon?
What is this 'will to power' in Nietzsche's work?
What is this 'will to power' in Nietzsche's work?
容易混淆
Learners often use 'this' for everything.
Using 'What' for people.
Using 'it' when first introducing an object.
常见错误
What this?
What is this?
This is what?
What is this?
What is that? (pointing to a pen in hand)
What is this?
Who is this? (pointing to a rock)
What is this?
What is these?
What are these?
What's this noise mean?
What does this noise mean?
What is this 'freedom' you are speaking?
What is this 'freedom' you are speaking of?
句型
What is ___?
What is this ___?
What is that ___ over there?
What is this '___'?
Real World Usage
What is this? Is it a mango?
What is this button for?
What is this pain in my arm?
What's this? 😂
What is this specific role's main challenge?
What is that dish on the next table?
Point and Ask
Don't forget 'is'
Use 'What's'
Polite Gestures
Smart Tips
Always check the distance. If you can't reach it with your hand, use 'that'.
Contract 'What is' into 'What's'.
Don't repeat 'This is...'. Use 'It's...' for a smoother answer.
Use the phrase 'What is this in [Your Language]?' to get a translation.
发音
Falling Intonation
Information questions (Wh- questions) usually end with a falling pitch.
The 'S' in 'What's'
The 's' in 'What's' is pronounced like a /s/ sound, not a /z/.
Standard Inquiry
What is this? ↘
Simple curiosity
记住它
记忆技巧
THIS is in my fist, THAT is where I point my wrist.
视觉联想
Imagine a glowing circle around your feet. Anything inside the circle is 'this'. Anything outside the circle is 'that'.
Rhyme
Near is this, far is that. What is this? It's a cat!
Story
A traveler enters a magic shop. He touches a lamp and asks 'What is this?'. The shopkeeper points to a flying carpet in the corner and says 'What is that?'.
Word Web
挑战
Walk around your room. Point at 5 things and say 'What is this?' out loud, then answer yourself.
文化笔记
Pointing with the index finger is common when asking 'What is this?', but in some cultures, it is considered rude. In those cases, use an open hand.
You might hear 'What's this then?' added to the end of the question in a casual, slightly suspicious or curious way.
In very casual speech, 'What is that?' can sound like 'Whazzat?'.
From Old English 'hwæt' (what) and 'is' (is).
对话开场白
Point to a fruit in a market: 'What is this?'
Look at a strange gadget: 'What is that?'
In a museum: 'What is this painting about?'
Hearing a strange word: 'What is this word in my language?'
日记主题
常见错误
Test Yourself
What ___ this?
What is ___?
Find and fix the mistake:
This is what?
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
A: What is this? B: ___ is a pen.
We use 'What' to ask about people.
___ / ___ / ___ / ?
Score: /8
练习题
8 exercisesWhat ___ this?
What is ___?
Find and fix the mistake:
This is what?
that / is / What / ?
This / That
A: What is this? B: ___ is a pen.
We use 'What' to ask about people.
___ / ___ / ___ / ?
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesWhat ___ that?
What this is on the table?
Which question is correct?
Translate into English: '¿Qué es esto que tienes en la mano?'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the demonstratives with the correct verb form:
___ that strange light?
Tell me what is this, please.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: '¿Qué es esto?' (referring to something close)
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the questions with their answers:
Score: /12
常见问题 (8)
Yes! In fact, native speakers say `What's this?` more often than `What is this?` in casual conversation.
Use `this` for things you can touch or are very close. Use `that` for things further away.
The most common answer is `It is a...` followed by the name of the object. For example: `It is a chair.`
Only when introducing someone (e.g., 'This is my friend'). If you are asking who someone is, use `Who is this?` instead of `What is this?`.
You must use the plural form: `What are these?` or `What are those?`.
They are very similar. `What is this?` is better when you are pointing at something new. `What is it?` is better when you are already talking about the object.
Adding `there` or `over there` just emphasizes that the object is far away. It is very common in casual English.
In some cultures, yes. In English-speaking countries, pointing at objects is usually fine, but pointing at people can be rude.
Scaffolded Practice
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2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
¿Qué es esto?
Spanish has gendered demonstratives (esto/esta/este).
Qu'est-ce que c'est ?
French uses a fixed idiomatic phrase for simple identification.
Was ist das?
German often uses 'das' for both 'this' and 'that' in casual speech.
Kore wa nan desu ka?
The word order is completely reversed compared to English.
Ma hadha?
Zhe shi shenme?
Chinese does not move the question word to the front.
