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JungKim Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

what is vs. what it is

Is there any difference in meaning and/or style between these two?
(1) You are too concerned with what was and what will be.
(2) You are too concerned with what it was and what it will be.
  

Top answer

JungKim difference The first one refers implicitly to some life situation that the speaker and listener are discussing. In the second one, you would need some context to clarify what "it" is. It doesn't sound as idiomatic as the first.

— CalifJim

  • JungKim difference The first one refers implicitly to some life situation that the speaker and listener are discussing.
  • In the second one, you would need some context to clarify what "it" is.
  • It doesn't sound as idiomatic as the first.
  • CJ
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3 Answers
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JungKimdifference
The first one refers implicitly to some life situation that the speaker and listener are discussing. In the second one, you would need some context to clarify what "it" is. It doesn't sound as idiomatic as the first.

CJ
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CalifJim In the second one, you would need some context to clarify what "it" is.
Let's say the context is the same.
In both cases, the speaker was talking about the importance of "the present". And he tries to say something to mean that you must learn to live in the present, not in the past or the future.
From your response, I gather that (1) certainly
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JungKimFrom your response, I gather that (1) certainly can convey this idea.
You gather correctly. Yes.
JungKimHow about (2) then?
No.
JungKimCan (2) be used to mean the same thing, although it is not as idiomatic?
No. It would not be used to mean the same thing.

CJ
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