What Part of Speech is “WHAT”
In English texts and verbal communication, the word what also have various functions. It can be used as a adjective, an adverb, a pronoun, or an interjection.
- Adjective
This word is commonly classified as an adjective if it is used to introduce a noun or a noun phrase. In the sample sentence below:
What time is it?
The word “what” introduces the noun “time,” and is therefore considere d as a adjective.
Definition:
a. asking for information specifying something
- Example:
- What books did you buy?
- Adverb
In some cases, the word “what” is considered as an adverb if it modifies a verb. For instance, in the sample sentence below:
What does he care?
The word “what” functions as an adverb because it modifies the verb “care.”
Definition:
a. in what way
- Example:
- What does it matter?
- Pronoun
The word “what” is also normally categorized as a pronoun if it is used for asking questions about something or if it is used to substitute a noun. For example, in the sentence below:
What we need is commitment.
This “what” word is classified under pronouns because it replaces a thing or a noun.
Definition:
a. asking for information specifying something
- Example:
- What is beauty?
b. used to describe a question
- Example:
- What is this?
c. the thing or things that (used in specifying something)
- Example:
- I want to do what I can to make a difference.
- Interjection
Other times, this word is classified under interjections because it can be used to express sudden emotions. Take for example, the sentence:
What a suggestion!
In this sample sentence, the word “what” is used to exclaim and express a burst of emotion regarding the noun “suggestion.”
Definition:
a. emphasizing something surprising or remarkable
- Example:
- What a charming lady!