Meaning & use
what's more
Last updated
Meanings
phrasefixed phrase
Used to add another fact or reason that makes your point stronger.
Grammar: Works like a linking adverb; it comes at the start of a clause and is followed by a comma: What's more, it's free.
Patterns
- What's more, + clause
- and what's more, + clause
The hotel was cheap, and what's more, it was right next to the beach.
She speaks three languages; what's more, she learned them all before she was ten.
What's more, the report shows that the problem is getting worse, not better.
phrasefixed phrase
Used to introduce an additional piece of information that supports what you just said.
Grammar: Can also appear in the middle of a sentence between commas: It's cheap and, what's more, it's quick.
Patterns
- ..., what's more, + clause
The plan saves money and, what's more, it protects jobs.
He was late, and what's more, he forgot the tickets.
Common combinations
- what's more important
- What's more important, we still have time to change the design.
- what's more, it's free
- The app is easy to use and, what's more, it's free.
- and what's more
- He lied to me, and what's more, he lied to my parents.
- what's more, she agreed
- The price was fair; what's more, she agreed to deliver it herself.
Synonyms and how they differ
- moreover
- More formal and mainly written; use 'what's more' if you want a slightly more conversational tone.
- furthermore
- Very formal and typical of essays and reports, while 'what's more' fits both speech and writing.
- besides
- Adds a point as an afterthought and can sound more casual; 'what's more' stresses that the new point strengthens your argument.
- on top of that
- Informal and common in speech; 'what's more' is a little more polished.
Word family
- what pronoun
- The question word that forms the first part of this phrase.
Commonly confused: what's more or whatsoever? what's more or whatever?
what's more vs whatsoever
Means 'at all' and is used for emphasis after a negative (no money whatsoever); it has nothing to do with adding a point.
what's more vs whatever
Means 'anything' or 'no matter what' (Do whatever you like); don't confuse it with the linking phrase 'what's more'.
Practice
Choose the best sentence.
Choose one answer.
'What's more' is a linking phrase that starts a new clause and is set off by a comma, so option An is correct. Option B misses the joining 'and', option C misses the comma after the phrase, and option D wrongly makes the second clause a question.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “what's more”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.