What-clause
Definition
A what-clause is a free relative clause beginning with what. It combines the meaning of the thing(s) that and functions like a noun phrase as a subject, object, or complement.
Examples
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What Maya said surprised everyone.
The what-clause functions as the subject of surprised.
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I understand what you mean.
The what-clause functions as the object of understand.
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A quiet weekend is what I need.
The what-clause identifies the complement in a reversed pseudo-cleft.
What-clause vs. interrogative clause
I know what Maya bought.
The clause means that I know the answer to the question What did Maya buy?
What Maya bought was expensive.
The clause means the thing that Maya bought.
The same surface form can introduce an embedded question or a free relative. Its function and meaning in the larger sentence determine the analysis.
What already contains the meaning of an antecedent
Unlike an ordinary relative pronoun, what does not follow a separate noun antecedent. It already means the thing that or the things that.
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Take what you need.
The clause means the thing or things that you need.
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The thing that you need is on the desk.
This ordinary relative clause follows the explicit antecedent the thing.
Common mistakes
The thing what I need is more time.
What I need is more time.
Do not use free-relative what after an explicit antecedent such as the thing.
I understand what do you mean.
I understand what you mean.
Use statement word order inside an embedded what-clause.
Quick check
Question 1 of 3
Which expression is a free relative what-clause?
What Leo wrote means the thing that Leo wrote and functions as the subject.Which sentence has correct embedded-clause word order?
Embedded clauses use statement order: Maya wants.Which sentence incorrectly combines what with an explicit antecedent?
Free-relative what already includes the meaning of the thing that.Nice work — you've completed the quick check.
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