Definition of “What”
“What” is an interrogative pronoun, relative pronoun, and determiner in the English language. It is used to ask questions about things, actions, or events and to refer to specific objects, ideas, or information in a sentence. “What” helps inquire about or describe the nature, identity, or value of something, and it can also be used to provide additional details or emphasize something in relative clauses.
Uses of “What”
1. Asking Questions About Things or Information
The most common use of “what” is to ask about objects, concepts, events, or information. It seeks to identify or specify a thing or idea.
- Examples:
- “What is that?” (Asking about an object)
- “What time is the meeting?” (Asking about time)
- “What did you say?” (Asking for clarification or repetition of information)
2. Expressing Surprise or Emphasis
“What” is often used in exclamatory sentences to express surprise, emotion, or emphasis about something.
- Examples:
- “What a beautiful day!”
- “What an amazing story!”
- “What a mess you’ve made!”
3. Referring to the Identity or Nature of Something
“What” can also be used to inquire about or describe the nature, type, or category of something. It seeks to understand what something is or how it is classified.
- Examples:
- “What kind of books do you like?”
- “What is the purpose of this project?”
- “What are your hobbies?”
4. In Relative Clauses
“What” can function as a relative pronoun, introducing a clause that refers to things or concepts rather than people. It refers to something unspecified or unknown.
- Examples:
- “I didn’t understand what she meant.”
- “Tell me what you need.”
- “What I love most about this place is the view.”
5. As a Determiner
“What” can be used as a determiner when it precedes a noun to inquire about specific details related to that noun.
- Examples:
- “What color is the car?”
- “What size do you wear?”
- “What time is it?”
Grammatical Role of “What”
1. Interrogative Pronoun
As an interrogative pronoun, “what” is used to ask questions about objects or information. It appears at the beginning of a question and refers to things or actions.
- Examples:
- “What do you want for dinner?”
- “What happened at the meeting?”
2. Relative Pronoun
As a relative pronoun, “what” introduces a relative clause that provides additional details about an unspecified object or idea.
- Examples:
- “He didn’t know what to expect.”
- “What you need is a break.”
3. Determiner
As a determiner, “what” specifies details about a noun, asking for more precise information regarding size, type, or characteristics.
- Examples:
- “What language do they speak?”
- “What book are you reading?”
Common Phrases with “What”
1. “What’s up?”
This phrase is a casual greeting used to ask about someone’s well-being or what they are doing.
- Examples:
- “Hey, what’s up?”
- “Not much, what’s up with you?”
2. “What if”
This phrase is used to introduce a hypothetical situation or possibility, often to explore potential outcomes or consequences.
- Examples:
- “What if we miss the bus?”
- “What if it rains tomorrow?”
3. “What for”
This phrase is used to ask about the purpose or reason for something.
- Examples:
- “What did you buy this for?”
- “What are these tools for?”
4. “So what?”
This phrase is used to express indifference or dismissiveness about something.
- Examples:
- “So what if it’s raining? We’ll still have fun.”
- “You failed the test? So what? You can try again.”
Common Mistakes with “What”
1. Confusing “What” with “Which”
While “what” is used to ask about general things or categories, “which” is used when referring to specific options or choices. Using “what” instead of “which” in certain contexts can create confusion.
- Incorrect: “What of these dresses do you like?”
- Correct: “Which of these dresses do you like?” (Since there are specific choices, “which” is the correct word.)
2. Using “What” with People Instead of “Who”
“What” is used to ask about things or concepts, while “who” is used to refer to people. A common mistake is using “what” when referring to a person’s identity, where “who” would be grammatically correct.
- Incorrect: “What is that man’s name?”
- Correct: “Who is that man?”
Importance of “What” in Communication
“What” is one of the most commonly used interrogative and relative pronouns in English, essential for asking questions, seeking information, and understanding the identity or nature of things. It helps clarify details, explore concepts, and provide additional information in both formal and informal communication.
Using “what” correctly enables speakers and writers to obtain necessary details, explain unknowns, and ensure clear and effective communication. Its versatility in various sentence structures makes it a key word in both questions and explanations.
Conclusion
“What” is a versatile interrogative pronoun, relative pronoun, and determiner used to inquire about things, concepts, and details. It plays a crucial role in questions that seek clarification or information about objects, actions, and abstract ideas. Whether asking for specifics, introducing relative clauses, or expressing surprise, “what” is an indispensable part of everyday conversation and written communication. Understanding how to use “what” correctly enhances both clarity and precision in language.