Cool MateWhat are we vs What are we doing vs What is this
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
What are we
What are we doing
What is this
| What are we | What are we doing | What is this | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //wɒt ɑː wɪ//🇺🇸 //wɑt ɑr wi// | 🇬🇧 //wɒt ɑː wɪ ˈduːɪŋ//🇺🇸 //wɑt ɑr wi ˈduɪŋ// | 🇬🇧 //wɒt ɪz ðɪs//🇺🇸 //wɑt ɪz ðɪs// |
| Meaning | A question asking about the nature of a relationship or situation. | A question asking about current activities. | A question asking about the identity of something. |
| Example | During a quiet moment, she asked, 'What are we?' | What are we doing this weekend? | Excuse me, **what is this** on the table? |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | What are we doing, What are we to each other, What are we waiting for | ask what are we doing, discuss what are we doing, wonder what are we doing | what is this thing, what is this about, what is this supposed to be |
| Common mistakes | Using incorrect verb forms, e.g., 'What is we?', Confusion over the context, thinking it's only for romantic relationships., Incorrectly placing emphasis, making it sound accusatory. | Omitting 'are' and saying 'What we doing?', Using with a period instead of a question mark., Confusing with 'What are we to do?' which implies obligation. | Omitting 'is', saying 'what this?' instead, Using 'who' instead of 'what' for inanimate objects |
| Usage notes | Used to initiate a serious discussion about relationship status or feelings. Often informal among friends or romantic partners. | Use in informal situations to inquire about planned or ongoing activities. Less suitable for formal contexts. | Used when you want clarification about an object or situation. Appropriate in both casual and formal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: What are we vs What are we doing vs What is this
What's the difference between What are we, What are we doing, and What is this?
What are we: A question asking about the nature of a relationship or situation. What are we doing: A question asking about current activities. What is this: A question asking about the identity of something.
Which is more common: What are we, What are we doing, and What is this?
What are we doing is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
What are we: During a quiet moment, she asked, 'What are we?' What are we doing: What are we doing this weekend? What is this: Excuse me, **what is this** on the table?
Can I use What are we, What are we doing, and What is this interchangeably?
Not always. What are we, What are we doing, and What is this are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.