Exploring the Usage of 'What' as a Relative Pronoun in English

Can 'What' Be a Relative Pronoun?

Yes, as a relative pronoun, 'what' can function in specific contexts, although its use is not universally accepted in all dialects of English. This article will delve into the nuances and limitations of using 'what' as a relative pronoun, distinguishing it from its more conventional roles as an interrogative pronoun.

Defining Relative and Interrogative Pronouns

A relative pronoun introduces a relative clause and refers back to a previously mentioned noun or concept. Examples include 'who', 'whom', 'whose', 'which', and 'that'.

What, on the other hand, is often an interrogative pronoun, commonly used to start questions. However, 'what' can occasionally be used as a relative pronoun in specific types of clauses, known as free relatives.

Using 'What' as a Relative Pronoun

In a free relative clause, 'what' functions as a relative pronoun, serving as an alternative to 'who', 'whom', 'which', or 'that'. For instance:

Free Relative Clause Example: "I will send what was promised."

Versions: "I gave him what he wanted."

In the majority of English dialects, 'what' is regarded as an interrogative pronoun, primarily used to introduce main clauses, which are questions, or subordinate clauses that are not modifying nouns but serving as subjects or objects:

Main Clause as a Question: "What was she reading?"

Subordinate Clause as an Object: "What she was saying is unknown."

Free Relative Clause: "I liked what she was saying."

In these examples, 'what' is used as a free relative pronoun. The main clause forms, however, use 'what' as an interrogative pronoun.

Examples and Paraphrasing

Here are some examples to illustrate the usage of 'what' in free relative clauses:

Original: "I liked what she was saying."

Paraphrased: "I liked the thing that she was saying."

Let's examine further to understand why 'what' in certain clauses cannot be replaced with 'the thing that':

Interrogative Sentence: "What she was saying is unknown."

Here, 'what' introduces a subordinate clause that is not a free relative and thus cannot be rephrased as "the thing that she was saying is unknown."

Conclusion

In summary, 'what' can function as a relative pronoun, but this usage is highly specific. It primarily occurs in free relative clauses. In most other contexts, 'what' remains an interrogative pronoun.