Mastering ‘What’: A Guide for Advanced English Learners
At first glance, the word “what” might seem simple, but its versatility and nuanced usage make it a crucial element in advanced English proficiency.
Today, we’re exploring this multifaceted word to enhance your understanding and prepare you for B1 level English tests.
Word type: “What” functions as several parts of speech.
It can be an interrogative pronoun, a relative pronoun, a determiner, or even an interjection.
This flexibility contributes to its frequent use in English.
Meaning: As an interrogative pronoun, “what” is used to ask for information about something.
As a relative pronoun, it introduces a clause that provides more details about a noun.
When used as a determiner, it inquires about or emphasizes the identity or nature of something.
As an interjection, it expresses surprise or confusion.
Word history: “What” has ancient roots, deriving from the Old English “hwæt,” which itself comes from the Proto-Germanic “hwat.”
This word has cognates in other Germanic languages, such as the German “was” and Dutch “wat,” all stemming from the Proto-Indo-European root “kwo-,” meaning “who” or “what.”
Antonyms: While “what” doesn’t have direct antonyms, words that provide specific information in response to “what” questions could be considered its opposites in context.
These might include definite articles or specific nouns that answer “what” queries.
Synonyms: Synonyms for “what” depend on its function in a sentence.
Some near-synonyms include “which” for choices, “that” or “which” as relative pronouns, and “pardon” or “excuse me” when used as an interjection.
Examples use in sentences: Let’s examine some advanced uses of “what” in sentences: One.
“What few resources we had were quickly depleted.”
Here, “what” functions as a determiner emphasizing the scarcity of resources.
Two.
“The professor asked what the students thought about the controversial theory.”
In this case, “what” introduces an indirect question.
Three.
“What with the economic downturn and political instability, the country faced numerous challenges.”
This idiomatic use of “what with” means “because of” or “due to.” Common errors in use: Even at advanced levels, learners sometimes struggle with the correct usage of “what.”
One common mistake is using “what” instead of “which” when referring to a choice among a specific set of items.
For example, “What book do you prefer?” should be “Which book do you prefer?” when referring to a selection of books.
Another error is the overuse of “what” in formal writing.
While it’s common in spoken English to say “This is what I mean,” in formal contexts, it’s often more appropriate to say “This is my intended meaning.”
Mastering the nuanced use of “what” demonstrates a sophisticated command of English.
By understanding its various functions and idiomatic uses, you’ll be well-prepared for advanced English proficiency tests and more natural, fluent communication in English.
