What is the function of 'what' in relative clauses?

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What is the function of 'what' in relative clauses?

In relative clauses, 'what' functions as a pronoun that introduces a clause and refers to a whole idea or concept. It is used to represent the subject or object of the relative clause, and it can also be used to refer to an entire clause or sentence.

The function of 'what' in relative clauses can vary depending on its position within the clause. When 'what' is used as the subject of the relative clause, it introduces a clause that describes or defines the subject of the main clause. For example, in the sentence "I don't understand what you said," 'what' is the subject of the relative clause "what you said," which describes the thing that the speaker doesn't understand.

On the other hand, when 'what' is used as the object of the relative clause, it introduces a clause that describes or defines the object of the main clause. For instance, in the sentence "She bought what she needed," 'what' is the object of the relative clause "what she needed," which describes the things that she bought.

Furthermore, 'what' can also be used to refer to an entire clause or sentence. In this case, it functions as a pronoun that represents the whole idea or concept expressed in the relative clause. For example, in the sentence "I told her what I thought," 'what' refers to the entire clause "I thought," representing the speaker's opinion or thoughts.

In summary, the function of 'what' in relative clauses is to introduce a clause that describes or defines the subject or object of the main clause, or to represent an entire clause or sentence. It plays a crucial role in connecting ideas and providing additional information within a sentence.