Meaning & use
what
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Meanings
pronoun
Used to ask for information about something, when you do not know what it is.
Grammar: Often begins a question: What is your name?
Patterns
- what + verb
- what + noun
What is your name?
What did you say?
What happened here?
pronoun
Used to refer to a thing or things without saying exactly which one.
Grammar: Introduces a clause: I know what you mean.
Patterns
- what + clause
I don't know what he wants.
Tell me what you think.
She asked what time it was.
determiner
Used before a noun to ask for specific information about that noun.
Grammar: Comes before a noun: What time is it?
Patterns
- what + noun
What time does the train leave?
What color is your car?
What kind of music do you like?
pronoun
Used to express surprise, anger, or other strong emotion.
Grammar: Often in exclamations: What a surprise!
Patterns
- what a + noun
What a beautiful day!
What a mess!
What nonsense!
Common combinations
- what about
- What about going to the movies?
- what if
- What if it rains tomorrow?
- what for
- What did you do that for?
- so what
- So what if he's late?
Synonyms and how they differ
- which
- Which is used when there is a limited set of choices, while what is more open.
Commonly confused: what or that?
what vs that
That is used for statements, not questions: I know that he is here, not I know what he is here.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence:
Choose one answer.
In a direct question, the verb comes before the subject: What are you doing? Option A has the wrong word order, C uses 'do' with 'doing', and D is missing 'are'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “what”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.