what*/*/*/

[wɒt]

grammar word summary: What can be: ■ a question pronoun: What do you want? ■ a relative pronoun: She showed me what she had bought. ■ a determiner: What subjects are you studying? ♦ What a nuisance! ■ an interjection: What! You mean I've been wasting my time?

1) which thing used for asking which thing or which type of thing something is

What's your name?[/ex]

What time is it?[/ex]

I asked her what kind of music she liked.[/ex]

2) which thing sth is used when someone knows or says which thing something is

I told him what the problem was.[/ex]

We suddenly realized what was happening.[/ex]

3) a particular thing used for referring to a particular thing that is being described or explained

You haven't given me what I asked for.[/ex]

What annoys me is the way he boasts about what he's done.[/ex]

4) asking sb to repeat sth spoken

used for asking someone to repeat what they have just said because you did not hear it clearly

‘Turn the radio down, will you?' ‘What?'[/ex]

It is more polite to say ‘pardon' or ‘I beg your pardon'.

5) when sb calls your name spoken

used for replying to someone when they have just called your name

‘Hey, Julie!' ‘What?' ‘I've got something to show you.'[/ex]

6) emphasizing a quality spoken

used for introducing a remark in which you emphasize how big, good, bad etc someone or something is

What awful weather we've been having![/ex]

What a kind man![/ex]

7) showing surprise spoken

used for showing that you are surprised by something that you have just heard

What! You mean he can't read or write?[/ex]

•

so what? — spoken used for showing someone that you think that a particular fact that they have mentioned is not important[/ex]

'But they're living together and they aren't married.' 'So what?'[/ex]

what about...? — spoken 1) used for making a suggestion[/ex]

'When shall we meet?' 'What about Tuesday?'[/ex]

— 2) used for reminding someone that a particular person or thing needs to be considered

What about Eileen? Shouldn't we invite her too?[/ex]

what for — spoken used for asking the reason for something[/ex]

'I need to have your name and address.' 'What for?'[/ex]

What did you hit him for?[/ex]

what if...? — 1) used for asking what would happen in a particular situation, especially an unpleasant situation[/ex]

It sounds like a good offer, but what if it's a trick?[/ex]

— 2) used when you are making a helpful suggestion

What if I lend you the money?[/ex]

what's more — spoken used for introducing an additional statement that supports what you have already said[/ex]

what with — spoken used when you are giving a number of reasons for a particular situation or problem[/ex]

The police are having a difficult time, what with all the drugs and violence on our streets.[/ex]