what
Pronoun:
- Interrogative pronoun: Used to ask for information about something unknown or unspecified.
- What is your name? (Asking for specific information.)
- What happened? (Inquiring about an event.)
- Relative pronoun: Used to refer to something that is specified or understood from context.
- I know what you mean. (The thing that you mean.)
- She gave me what I needed. (The thing that I needed.)
Determiner:
- Asking for identification: Used before a noun to ask for information about a specific thing or person.
- What book are you reading? (Which book?)
- What time is it? (Asking for the specific time.)
Adverb:
- To what extent: Used to express surprise, disbelief, or emphasis.
- What a beautiful day! (Expressing strong admiration.)
- What a shame! (Expressing disappointment.)
Exclamation:
- Expressing surprise or disbelief: Used as an interjection to show strong emotion.
- What! You're leaving already? (Showing shock or disbelief.)
- What? I can't believe it! (Expressing surprise.)
Pronoun (Interrogative):
- What do you want for dinner? (Asking for a choice of food.)
- What is the capital of France? (Asking for factual information.)
Pronoun (Relative):
- I remember what you said yesterday. (The thing that you said.)
- He did what he was told. (The thing that he was instructed to do.)
Determiner:
- What color is your car? (Asking for the specific colour.)
- What kind of music do you like? (Asking for a category of music.)
Adverb:
- What a clever idea! (Emphasising admiration for the idea.)
- What nonsense! (Expressing strong disapproval.)
Exclamation:
- What! You won the lottery? (Showing extreme surprise.)
- What? That can't be true! (Expressing disbelief.)
"What about...?": Used to make a suggestion or ask for an opinion.
- What about going to the cinema tonight? (Suggesting a plan.)
- What about your brother? Is he coming? (Asking about someone's status.)
"What if...?": Used to ask about the consequences of a hypothetical situation.
- What if it rains tomorrow? (Asking about a possible problem.)
- What if we miss the train? (Considering a worst-case scenario.)
"What for?": Used to ask the reason or purpose of something.
- What did you do that for? (Asking for the reason.)
- What is this tool for? (Asking about its function.)
"What with... and what with...": Used to list multiple reasons or causes.
- What with the rain and what with the traffic, we were late. (Because of both the rain and the traffic.)
Whatever (pronoun/determiner): any or everything of a particular type; no matter what.
- You can choose whatever you like. (Any thing that you like.)
- Whatever happens, stay calm. (No matter what happens.)
Whatsoever (adverb): used for emphasis, meaning "at all".
- I have no money whatsoever. (Absolutely no money.)
- There is no doubt whatsoever. (No doubt at all.)
Whatnot (noun): used to refer to any of various things that are not specified.
- She bought books, magazines, and whatnot. (And other similar items.)
- Which: used to ask for a choice among a known set (e.g., ).
- That which: a formal way to refer to something (e.g., ).
- How: used to ask about manner or condition (e.g., ), but not interchangeable with "what".
"Know what's what": to be knowledgeable or experienced about a situation.
- He's been in business for years; he knows what's what. (He understands how things work.)
"What's the matter?": an expression asking what is wrong.
- You look upset. What's the matter? (What is the problem?)
"So what?": a dismissive expression meaning "that is not important".
- You're older than me. So what? (That fact does not matter.)
"What goes around comes around": a proverb meaning that actions have consequences.
- If you treat others badly, what goes around comes around. (You will eventually face similar treatment.)
- What for?: (already covered above) used to ask the reason.
- What about?: (already covered above) used to make suggestions or ask for opinions.