what is it like being vs what is it like to be

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'What is it like being' is used when asking about someone's current experience or situation, while 'What is it like to be' is used when asking about the general experience or characteristics of being in a certain situation or role.

Last updated: March 31, 2024 • 2012 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used when asking about someone's current experience or situation.

"what is it like being"

This phrase is used to inquire about someone's current state or experience. It is often followed by a noun or pronoun to specify the subject being asked about.

Examples:

What is it like being a teacher?
What is it like being in love?
What is it like being a parent?
What is it like being famous?
What is it like being a student?

Show examples from the web [+]

What is it like being single?
What is it like being stabbed?
This is what it's like being a dog.
So this is what it's like being part of a well-oiled machine.
I suppose this is what it's like being on the outside.
Can you imagine what it is like being forced... to erase your own past?
Is that what it's like being in a relationship with you?
Do you know what it is like not being attractive?
Madame won't like being closed during business hours.
Nothing like being around animals, fixing things.
Kasper did not like being reminded of death.
Nothing bonds people like being imprisoned together...
A bit like being in a washing machine.
's like being born again.
Like being in another place completely.
I like being driven to cricket.
Being in Antarctica is like being on the moon.
Being with Trout is like being alone.
Being a telepath, is like being a psychic antenna.
Being hypnotised is like being in a world where everything is possible.

Alternatives:

How does it feel to be
What does it feel like to be
What is the experience of being

This phrase is correct and commonly used when asking about the general experience or characteristics of being in a certain situation or role.

"what is it like to be"

This phrase is used to inquire about the general experience or characteristics of being in a certain situation or role. It is often followed by a noun or pronoun to specify the subject being asked about.

Examples:

What is it like to be a doctor?
What is it like to be a parent?
What is it like to be famous?
What is it like to be in love?
What is it like to be a student?

Show examples from the web [+]

Not, what is it like to be William Tell?
What is it like to be up there? Yves Rossy: It's fun.
Well... What is it like to be in love?
So, what is it like to be married.
What is it like to be powerful?
So, the last question people ask me is, "What is it like to be a model?"
What is it like to be you?
What is it like to be back?
What is it like to be them?
That is what it feels like to be notorious.
I know what it is like to be lonely.
I guess this is what it feels like to be a normal father and son.
This is what it feels like to be a bear.
Like it or not, you will never know what it is like to be a black woman in America.
Maybe this is what it's like to be on the other side of 25.
The English do not know what it is like to be occupied by an enemy.
This is what it's like to be a victim.
Maybe this is what it feels like to be a superhero.
What you don't know is what it feels like to be tossed out of a family.
So this is what it's like to be on a stakeout.

Alternatives:

How does it feel to be
What does it feel like to be
What is the experience of being

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what is it like being vs what is it like to be