English Dictionary
Definition what in British English
what
adverb, determiner, interjection, predeterminer, pronoun
What are red words?
Around 90% of spoken and written English relies on just 7,500 common words.
These words are highlighted in red and are ranked using a star system.
- One-star words are commonly used
- Two-star words are even more common
- Three-star words are the most frequently used
adverb, determiner, interjection, predeterminer, pronoun
What are red words?
Around 90% of spoken and written English relies on just 7,500 common words.These words are highlighted in red and are ranked using a star system.
- One-star words are commonly used
- Two-star words are even more common
- Three-star words are the most frequently used
What can be used in the following ways:
as a question pronoun (introducing a direct or indirect question): What do you want?Tell me what happened.
as a relative pronoun (starting a relative clause that is subject, object, or complement of another clause): She showed me what she had bought.
as a determiner (followed by a noun and introducing a question): What subjects are you studying? (followed by a noun and introducing a relative clause): I’ll give you what money I have.
as a predeterminer (before ‘a’, ‘an’, or ‘the’): What a nuisance!
as an adverb: What does it matter?
as an interjection: What! You mean I’ve been wasting my time?
It is more polite to say ‘pardon’ or ‘I beg your pardon’.
used for asking which thing, action, or idea something is, or which type of thing, action, or idea something is
used for asking which thing, action, or idea something is, or which type of thing, action, or idea something is
What's your name?
What time is it?
used for referring to a particular thing, action, or idea
What! Are they still in bed?
What! You mean he can't read or write?
Related Words
Words related to what: