Alex+  +  457535 Thu, 27 Dec 07 03:05 PM My teacher says that we should pronounce "What is this?" and "What is it?" in a different way. "What is this?" - with a stress on "this". (I completely agree with her.) "What is it?" – without a stress on "it". But I've heard a lot of time people (in movies) pronounced "What is this?" and "What is it?" in the same way. Could you explain how to pronounce "What is it?" correctly? Alex+ Joined on Wed, Apr 11 2007 Full Member 301

	Clive  +  457556 Thu, 27 Dec 07 04:07 PM Hi, Could you explain how to pronounce "What is it?" correctly? The major stress usually goes on the 'is'. Clive Clive Joined on Thu, Oct 28 2004 Canada Veteran Member 29,605 El tango argentino es un pensamiento triste que se puede bailar (The tango argentino is a sad thought which can be danced) Enrique Santos Discépolo

	CalifJim  +  457677 Fri, 28 Dec 07 01:19 AM But a lot of times I've heard a lot of time people (in movies) pronounced "What is this?" and "What is it?" in the same way. Yes, the same way, you say.  But which way?  What is [this / it]? or What is [this / it]? CJ CalifJim Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004 California Veteran Member 22,395 "There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche

	Clive  +  457854 Fri, 28 Dec 07 02:55 PM Hi, Here are the common stress patterns. Please note that these differences are subtle rather than huge.   What IS it?   What IS this? In both of these cases, the stress brings attention to the 'existence of the thing'. eg Perhaps the speaker wants to know its purpose. The verb is used in full (not abbreviated) in order to allow it to be stressed.    What is THIS? This stress brings attention to the 'thing' that is being talked about. eg Perhaps the speaker wants to know its name. The verb is used in full (not abbreviated) to 'separate' 'this' from 'what' and thus give it more stress.  However, unless we want to use a great deal of stress, we very commonly abbreviate What is this? to What's this? Here, the speaker may or may give stress to THIS.     Note also that 'What is it? is not abbreviated to What's it?     Best wishes, Clive   Clive Verbs, Abbreviations

	CalifJim  +  457955 Fri, 28 Dec 07 08:37 PM Boldface font:  Highlight with your mouse.  Click the B.  (See the B  I  U above?) CJ CalifJim

	CalifJim  +  457957 Fri, 28 Dec 07 08:42 PM The only context I can think of where What is it? is used is when asking for the referent of the word it where the referent is unclear.  It means "What are you referring to by using the word it?" -- It's very expensive! -- What is it? / What's it? -- Caviar. -- I found it in a garbage can. -- What is it? / What's it? -- A diamond ring. This is often written with quotation marks, thus:  What is "it"? CJ CalifJim Quotation Marks