what is which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what is which" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion. It could be used in contexts where clarification is needed between two or more items. For example: "In this discussion, what is which can be quite confusing." Alternative expressions include "which is which" and "what's what."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"While we're waiting the beaches are disappearing, and by the time the study is done it will reflect what was, not what is, which is a whole different ecosystem," Mr. Strough said.

The New York Times

This capacity for gaining distance inserts a "not" or a "nonbeing" into the totality of what is, which allows me to organize what surrounds me into a meaningfully differentiated whole.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Really, it is what it is, which is what YHVH said back there at the burning bush, and wise people have said around foliage for thousands of years.

Huffington Post

What we're impressed by is not what he was, but what he is, which is a lunatic.

Huffington Post

"What matters is which books.

The New York Times - Tech

She is what she is, which is a wonderful constructor of puzzles.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

That's what it is, which in laymen's terms is just human nature.

The Guardian - Music

It just is what it is, which is wonderful for me, because I'm pretty much the same.

The New York Times

What matters is which has the best service in your neighborhood.

The New York Times

Yet what matters is which parties can, politically and arithmetically, form a majority coalition in parliament.

The Economist

Yet we are never told what disorder is, which is critical in clarifying the concept of entropy.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the context provides clear reference points to what is being distinguished; avoid vagueness to maintain clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid embedding "what is which" within overly complex sentence structures. Keep the phrasing direct to prevent ambiguity and maintain readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what is which" functions primarily as an interrogative expression, used to question or express confusion about the correct identity or association among multiple items or options. Ludwig indicates that it is used in contexts where clarification is needed.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Wiki

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "what is which" is an interrogative expression used to seek clarification or express confusion when distinguishing between multiple options. Though Ludwig indicates that its usage is not always straightforward, it appears across various contexts, including news, science, and general reference. For more formal or clearer communication, alternatives such as ""which is which"" or "how to differentiate between them" might be preferred. Remember to maintain clarity in your sentence structure when using this phrase to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

which is which

This alternative focuses on distinguishing between two or more options, directly mirroring the original query's intent.

how to differentiate between them

This phrase shifts the focus to the method of distinguishing, emphasizing a process of discernment.

how to tell the difference

This option offers a more informal way to inquire about distinguishing between items or concepts.

what distinguishes them

This alternative emphasizes the unique characteristics that set items or concepts apart.

what are the distinguishing features

This phrase explicitly asks for the specific features that allow for differentiation.

how can one discern between them

This alternative uses more formal language to ask about the process of distinguishing.

what are the criteria for distinguishing

This phrase focuses on establishing clear criteria used for differentiation.

what parameters define each

This alternative shifts the focus to defining parameters that help in distinguishing different items.

on what basis can we differentiate

This phrases emphasizes a foundational point or principle that you can use to distinguish items.

how to discriminate one from the other

This phrase emphasizes a sharper distinction, sometimes implying a judgmental element.

FAQs

How can I use "what is which" in a sentence?

Use "what is which" when you need clarification about identifying something among multiple options. For example: "In this lineup, it's not clear "which is which"."

What does "what is which" mean?

The phrase "what is which" is used to express confusion or a lack of clarity about the correct identity or association of something. It indicates a need to distinguish between similar or potentially interchangeable items.

Is it better to say "what is which" or "which is which"?

While both phrases are used, ""which is which"" is more common and generally clearer. "What is which" can sometimes sound awkward or less direct.

Are there any formal alternatives to "what is which"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "how to differentiate between them" or "what distinguishes them", depending on the specific context.