what (= the thing that)
what (= the thing that) means “what = 'the thing(s) that': a noun clause without an antecedent”. Here what is not a question word — it means 'the thing that': What I need is a holiday (= the thing that I need). Formation: what + subject + verb (= the thing(s) that)
what = 'the thing(s) that': a noun clause without an antecedent
A2Formation
what + subject + verb (= the thing(s) that)
Explanation
Here what is not a question word — it means 'the thing that': What I need is a holiday (= the thing that I need). The what clause can be the subject or the object of the sentence: Show me what you bought. I believe what she said. Unlike who or that, what does not follow a noun — it already contains the idea of 'the thing' inside it.
Examples
Note
Don't use what after a noun — say everything that (not 'everything what'): Everything that he said was true.
FAQ
what (= the thing that) — what does it mean and how is it used?
what = 'the thing(s) that': a noun clause without an antecedent. Here what is not a question word — it means 'the thing that': What I need is a holiday (= the thing that I need). The what clause can be the subject or the object of the sentence: Show me what you bought. I believe what she said. Unlike who or that, what does not follow a noun — it already contains the idea of 'the thing' inside it.
what (= the thing that) — how do you form it?
what + subject + verb (= the thing(s) that)
what (= the thing that) — any usage notes?
Don't use what after a noun — say everything that (not 'everything what'): Everything that he said was true.