what S1 W1 /wɒt $ wɑːt, wʌt/
pronoun, determiner, predeterminer[
Language: Old English;
Origin: hwæt]
1. used to ask for information or for someone’s opinion:
What are you doing? What subjects did you enjoy most? What colour is the new carpet? What’s your new boss like? What do you think of my painting? What do you mean, you want to spend Christmas alone?what on earth/in the world/in heaven’s name etc (=used for emphasis when you are surprised, angry etc) What on earth’s going on?GRAMMARWhen there are only a small number of possible things or people, use
which, not
what:
Which leg (NOT What leg) did he break?2. used to introduce a
clause about something that is or was not known or not certain:
No one knows exactly what happened. It is not clear to what extent these views were shared.what to do/say/expect etc They’re discussing what to do next.3. the thing which:
Show me what you bought. I believe what he told me. I could get you a job here if that’s what you want. What he did was morally wrong. She gave him what money she had (=all the money she had, although she did not have much).GRAMMARWhat is not a relative pronoun and should not be used to begin a clause after a noun or pronoun. Use
that instead:
There are so many things that (NOT things what) can go wrong.4. used at the beginning of a statement to emphasize what you are going to say:
What that kid needs is some love and affection. What we’ll do is leave a note for Mum to tell her we won’t be back till late. What matters is the British people and British jobs.
SPOKEN PHRASES5. what? a) used to ask someone to repeat something they have just said because you did not hear it properly:
‘Could you turn the music down a bit?’ ‘What?’ b) used when you have heard someone calling to you and you are asking them what they want:
‘Elaine!’ ‘What?’ ‘Come on!’ c) used to show that you are surprised or shocked by something that someone has just said:
‘I think I’ve lost my passport.’ ‘What?’6. used at the beginning of a sentence to emphasize that you think something or someone is very good, very bad etc:
What a lovely day! What a horrible thing to do! What nice people they are!7. used to ask someone to complete a name when they have only given you the first part of it:
‘Do you know his name?’ ‘It’s David.’ ‘David what?’8. what about ...? a) used to make a suggestion:
What about dinner at my place next week?what about doing something What about going to a movie? b) (
also what of ...? formal) used to introduce a new subject into a conversation, or to mention something or someone else that also needs to be considered:
What about Patrick? What’s he doing nowadays? What about me? Aren’t I coming too? So that’s the food – now what about the wine? And what of her other job? How is that progressing?9. what (...) for? a) used to ask why someone does something:
‘She’s decided to work part-time.’ ‘What for?’ What did you do that for? b) used to ask what purpose or use something has:
What’s this gadget for?10. used to give yourself time to think before guessing a number or amount:
You’re looking at, what, about £4,000 for a decent second-hand car.11. what’s his/her/its name (
also what d'you call him/her/it, what's his/her face) used when talking about a person or thing whose name you cannot immediately remember:
The hospital have just got a, what d'you call it, er ... a scanner. Is what’s his name still working there?12. (and) what’s more used when adding information that emphasizes what you are saying:
Gas is a very efficient fuel. And what’s more, it’s clean.13. what’s what the real facts about a situation that are important to know:
She’s been working here long enough to know what’s what.14. what’s it to you? used to tell someone angrily that something does not concern them:
That’s right, I didn’t pass. What’s it to you, anyway? ‘How did he die?’ Suddenly Emily was angry. ‘What’s it to you?’15. ... or what a) used at the end of a question to show that you are impatient with someone or something:
Are you afraid of him, or what? Is that work going to be finished by Friday, or what? b) used after mentioning one or more possibilities to show that you are not certain about something:
I don’t know whether it was an accident or on purpose or what. c) used after a description of someone or something to emphasize it:
Nearby are the remains of a deserted village. Spooky or what? Is that madness or what?16. so what? (
also what of it?) used to say that you do not care about something or think it is important:
‘Your room looks a real mess, Tracey.’ ‘So what?’ ‘But, Paul, she’s so much older than you.’ ‘What of it?’17. you what? a) British English used to ask someone to repeat something they have just said. It is more polite to say
pardon:
‘I want to tell you something.’ ‘You what? I can’t hear what you’re saying.’ b) used to show that you are surprised:
‘So I resigned.’ ‘You what?’18. what if ...? a) used to ask what you should do or what the result will be if something happens, especially something unpleasant:
What if this plan of yours fails, what then? ‘What if it rains tomorrow?’ ‘We’ll just have to postpone it.’ b) used to make a suggestion:
What if we moved the sofa over here? Would that look better?19. ... and what have you used at the end of a list of things to mean other things of a similar kind:
The shelves were crammed with books, documents, and what have you.20. what with something used to introduce a list of reasons that have made something happen or made someone feel in a particular way:
She couldn’t get to sleep, what with all the shooting and shouting.21. what’s with somebody? American English used to ask why a person or group of people is behaving strangely:
What’s with you people?22. what’s with something? American English used to ask the reason for something:
What’s with all the sad faces?23. now what? used to ask what is going to happen next, what you should do etc
24. what's not to like/love? especially American English used to say that something has no bad qualities or features:
What's not to like about this book? ⇒
what does it matter? at
matter2(3), ⇒
what does somebody care at
care2(6), ⇒
have what it takes at
take1(4), ⇒
I/I’ll tell you what at
tell(13), ⇒
guess what at
guess1(6)
[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲
whatpronoun1. 
BAD: A woman can do everything what a man can do.
GOOD: A woman can do everything (that) a man can do.
BAD: I'll do all what I can to help you.
GOOD: I'll do all (that) I can to help you.
Usage Note: What is not used as a relative pronoun. After
all, everything, anything etc, use
that or nothing: 'You can have anything (that) you like.' 'I have everything (that) I need for the time being.'
2. BAD: She told him that she didn't want to marry him, what in my opinion was very silly of her.
GOOD: She told him that she didn't want to marry him, which in my opinion was very silly of her.
Usage Note:What is not used as a relative pronoun. When you comment on a previous statement, use
which : 'Lizzie ate the whole box of chocolates, which was very greedy.'
3. BAD: Please tell me what would you like for a wedding present.
GOOD: Please tell me what you would like for a wedding present.
Usage Note:When a
wh- clause is part of a sentence (e.g. the subject or the object), the subject and verb in the
wh- clause do not change places.
Compare: 'Why did she leave so soon?' 'Do you know why she left so soon?'
[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Common Errors ▲