So you want to understand relative clauses with what? Good call. I remember when I first tried wrapping my head around this grammar point - total confusion. My English teacher kept saying "it's different" but never explained how to actually use it right. Annoying, right?
Let me save you that frustration. After teaching ESL for eight years and seeing hundreds of students struggle with this exact thing, I've nailed down what works. This isn't some dry grammar lecture. We're going practical - real examples, common mistakes (I've made plenty myself), and useful tricks that'll make this click for you faster than you'd expect.
What Exactly Are Relative Clauses with What?
Okay, first things first. When we talk about relative clauses with what, we're dealing with something special. Unlike regular relative clauses using who/which/that, clauses with "what" don't connect to a noun before them. They stand alone to mean "the thing(s) that".
Here's the difference that confused me for weeks:
| Standard Relative Clause | Clause with "What" |
|---|---|
| The book that you lent me was fascinating | What you told me was fascinating |
| I need the tools which are in the garage | I'll use what is in the garage |
See how "what" replaces both the noun AND the relative pronoun? That's the magic.
Why This Matters in Real Communication
Last month, one of my students asked: "Teacher, why can't I just say 'The thing which you said' instead of 'what you said'?" Fair question. Here's the reality - native speakers almost always choose the "what" version because:
- It sounds more natural in conversation
- Saves time (one word instead of two)
- Prevents awkward repetition like "Tell me the thing that you want"
In emails from my British colleagues, I see relative clauses with what constantly. Just yesterday: "Please review what was discussed in Monday's meeting." Sounds way better than "Please review the things that were discussed..."
When Exactly Should You Use What in Relative Clauses?
Tricky part - you can't just swap "what" into every sentence. Through trial and error (mostly error), I've identified four situations where it works:
| Situation | Correct Usage | Incorrect Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Referring to general things/ideas | What she suggested made sense | The suggestion what she made... (use "that") |
| After prepositions | We'll work with what we have | We'll work with the tools what we have |
| Meaning "whatever" or "anything that" | Take what you need from the pantry | Take the items what you need |
| In fused relative constructions | What happened next shocked everyone | The event what happened shocked everyone |
Notice the pattern? "What" stands alone - it never follows a noun directly.
The Biggest Mistake I See Learners Make
Hands down, it's using "what" like a regular relative pronoun. Like this:
✘ I met the man what helped me yesterday
Ouch. That physically hurts my teacher ears. Should be:
✓ I met the man who helped me yesterday
Or this classic error:
✘ The car what is parked outside is mine
No no no. Should be either:
✓ The car that is parked outside is mine
✓ What is parked outside is my car
Real Examples From Books and Movies
Nothing beats seeing grammar in real context. Check these out:
| Source | Example Sentence | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Harry Potter | "It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live, remember what Dumbledore says." | Perfect for quoting wisdom/sayings |
| The Godfather | "I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse. That's what my father would say." | Captures memorable phrases |
| Sherlock Holmes | "You see, but you do not observe. The distinction is clear. That's what Holmes taught me." | Concisely references abstract concepts |
The pattern? Relative clauses with what shine when referring to:
- Verbal expressions (what someone says/thinks)
- Abstract concepts (what matters, what happened)
- General situations (what we have, what's available)
Special Cases That Trip People Up
When "What" and "That" Collide
This one gave me headaches early on. Can you say:
I appreciate what you did that helped the team
Turns out - yes! This combines both types. The "what" clause acts as the main noun phrase ("what you did"), and "that helped the team" modifies that whole idea. Mind-blown when I first figured this out.
The "All What" Mistake
Last semester, over half my class wrote sentences like:
✘ All what I need is more time
Sounds logical but it's wrong. Should be either:
✓ All I need is more time
✓ What I need is more time
"All" already contains the meaning of "what", so using both creates redundancy. Took me ages to explain this clearly.
Your Practical Usage Checklist
Before using a relative clause with what, mentally run through this:
- ✔️ Does it mean "the thing(s) that"?
- ✔️ Is it referring to something general, not specific?
- ✔️ Is there NO noun immediately before it?
- ✔️ Could I replace it with "that which" in formal writing?
If you answered yes to all, go for it. If not, reconsider. This checklist saved my students from countless errors.
How This Fits into Different English Exams
Worried about tests? Here's how relative clauses with what appear:
| Exam | Importance Level | What Examiners Look For |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS | High (Band 7+) | Natural use in speaking/writing to show range |
| TOEFL | Medium | Correct identification in reading sections |
| Cambridge (CAE/CPE) | Very High | Advanced sentence construction in essays |
On my first CAE exam, I lost points for writing "I didn't understand the thing which he meant" instead of the natural "what he meant". Don't be like me.
Your Burning Questions Answered
Can "What" Ever Follow a Noun?
Almost never. The rare exceptions involve poetic or dialectical English ("the man what owns the shop"). In 99% of cases - no. Stick to the standard rules.
Is This Structure Formal or Informal?
Works everywhere! The relative clause with what appears in academic papers, business reports, and casual chats. It's versatile when used properly.
How Is This Different from Interrogative "What"?
Great question. Compare:
• What did you say? (Question)
• I heard what you said (Relative clause)
Same word, different function. The relative clause version acts like a noun, not a question.
Practice Exercises to Test Yourself
Try rewriting these using relative clauses with what:
- The ideas that she proposed were innovative → What she proposed was innovative
- I don't believe the things that he promised → I don't believe what he promised
- We should appreciate the things that we have → We should appreciate what we have
Now correct these errors:
- ✘ The information what you gave me was helpful → ✓ The information that you gave me... OR ✓ What you gave me was helpful
- ✘ She explained the rules what apply here → ✓ She explained the rules that apply here
Final Takeaways
Getting comfortable with relative clauses using what takes practice, but pays off huge in natural expression. Remember:
- It stands alone meaning "the thing(s) that"
- Never follows a specific noun directly
- Saves words and sounds more native
- Avoid common traps like "all what"
Trust me, once this clicks, you'll start hearing it everywhere. That moment when lightbulbs go off in my classroom? Best feeling ever.
Now go try it. Next conversation you have, slip in one relative clause with what naturally. See if they notice - they probably won't, because you'll sound fluent. That's the goal, right?
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