what is

USAGE SUMMARY

"What is" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
An example sentence would be, "What is the definition of a zeitgeist?".

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The paper finally includes as What an overvisw of Mcognitionion theory, with some additional cognitionions, notably relating to foundations and time derivative aspecognition

Robotics and Autonomous Systems

What is past?

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

And what is history?

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

What is biohazard?

Bioprocess Engineering Kinetics, Sustainability, and Reactor Design

What is risk analysis?

Physical Security: 150 Things You Should Know

But what is nanomedicine?

Materials Today

What is its name?

Moderating Usability Tests Principles and Practices for Interacting

What is semantics?

Artificial Intelligence

What is a module?

Electronic Notes in Theoretical Computer Science

What is Developmental Biology?

Current Topics in Developmental Biology

What is working memory?

Computers in Human Behavior

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "what is" in formal writing, ensure that the question is clear and directly relevant to your topic. Avoid overly broad or vague inquiries.

Common error

Ensure that the subject of your "what is" question is well-defined and not open to multiple interpretations. Ambiguous questions can lead to unclear or irrelevant answers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what is" primarily functions as an interrogative phrase, used to introduce a question seeking a definition, explanation, or description. As Ludwig AI highlights, this structure is fundamental for initiating inquiries across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "what is" is a foundational interrogative tool, widely used across various disciplines to seek definitions and explanations. Predominantly found in scientific and formal contexts, it maintains grammatical correctness and serves as a crucial starting point for inquiry. Ludwig AI confirms its standard usage in written English. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity and relevance to avoid ambiguity, and consider alternatives to prevent repetition. Therefore, it is important to consider that different contexts may demand more specific phrasing to capture the nuance of a question, but "what is" is a clear and common way to begin the process.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what's the definition of

More explicitly asks for a definition.

what does it mean

Emphasizes the meaning or significance of a term or concept.

can you define

Shifts from a general inquiry to a request for a definition.

could you explain

Changes the focus from a simple definition to a more in-depth explanation.

how would you describe

Asks for a descriptive explanation rather than a strict definition.

what are the characteristics of

Focuses on the attributes and qualities of the subject.

can you elaborate on

Requests further details or clarification.

in simple terms

Requests a simplified explanation, avoiding technical jargon.

how can you characterize

Seeks a characterization or summary of the subject's nature.

tell me about

Broadens the scope to include general information about the subject.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "what is" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "could you define", "how would you characterize", or "what are the defining characteristics of" depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to start a sentence with "what is"?

While grammatically correct, starting multiple consecutive sentences with "what is" can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your sentence structure by using alternatives or incorporating the question within a larger sentence.

What's the difference between asking "what is" versus "how does it work"?

Asking "what is" seeks a definition or description of something, while asking "how does it work" inquires about the mechanisms or processes involved. For instance, "what is gravity?" seeks a definition, whereas "how does gravity work?" explores the underlying physics.

When is it better to use "what does it mean" instead of "what is"?

Use "what does it mean" when you want to know the significance or interpretation of something, especially in a symbolic or contextual sense, while "what is" is better for seeking a direct definition or description.