what
∞
1.0
- pronoun
- /wɑt/
- And so that is what this book is about.
- what happened
- know what
- tell me what
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Watch on YouTubeAnd so that is what this book is about.
- And so that is what this book is about.
- Look, when you love what you do, it's real good.
- And I said this is what happens to you.
- Do they know that what they're doing is not OK?
- That's that's not what it's like to use this thing.
- And yeah, that's what got to me the most.
- What they didn't know is what that value was.
- I can't explain what God is to me.
- Panda Express, if you didn't know, it's what I eat every day.
- So this is what I knew in my mind.
- And then we say, I want what that person has.
Examples
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Do they know that what they're doing is not OK?
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What you send out is what you get back.
-
Have they done what you are trying to do?
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What they said was the truth is what the truth is.
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I just wanted to talk to you, to explain what happened.
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The study brings up the question of what can be done to solve this situation.
Academic text (2011) -
Increase public and political awareness of what can be done to help prevent such failures.
Academic text (2011) -
Why didn't you tell me what was happening at school?
-
Well, I don't see what else I can do.
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I wonder what you would choose in this situation.
Idioms
- Informal
147
8.9
A short cry to show surprise, confusion, disbelief, or casual acceptance
7
9.9
To say someone has a very bad idea as if they are not thinking clearly
- Informal
4
9.7
A humorous remark to greet someone who arrives unexpectedly or looking messy
- Informal
3
4.9
Things that rise will later fall, for example prices or fortunes
- Informal
1
9.9
A short phrase people use to show surprise or disbelief without a bad word
- Offensive
1
9.9
A joke reply that mentions someone's mother to tease them about sex
- NSFW
1
9.9
A joke phrase people say after someone says something that can sound sexual
Try many different ideas to find one that works
Say this when someone acts very differently, as if they are a different person
How Surprised
Surface Forms
Etymology
What comes from the old English word hwæt, which once meant 'the thing which' and was used to point to events or objects. That's why what can introduce a clause meaning 'the thing that...' to refer to what is involved or mentioned.