English Language Discussion Forums

jayan12 · #1 07-Nov-2009, 13:16

what is the matter
what's the matter

Do "what is" and "what's" mean the same?

sarat_106 · #2 07-Nov-2009, 13:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by jayan12

what is the matter
what's the matter

Do "what is" and "what's" mean the same?

Yes, they mean the same. "what's" is shot form of "what is" used in spoken English.

Excalibur · #3 07-Nov-2009, 18:01

You would say, "What's the matter?" most of the time. You would say 'what is', is if you wanted to be emphatic:, " What IS the matter with you these days? You're always so grumpy."

grumpy: bad-temmpered, sulky