That versus What

Gusena · #16 (permalink) Tue Mar 09, 2010 15:10 pm *That versus What*

Dear Mr. Alan, thank you a lot for your explanation.

Vietanhpham_Winter · #17 (permalink) Tue Mar 09, 2010 20:28 pm *That versus What*

I don't understand what you're talking about. The what clause here is a noun clause. What can only be used to start a noun clause. I don't understand a word that you say. A word that you say here is a noun clause but it includes a relative clause: that you say. The relative clause is used to define the noun preceding it-a word. And of course, we just can use which or that to express things in a relative clause. And I don't understand a word ABOUT WHICH you're talking is the correct sentence not ...of what you're talking about. The preposition can precede the relative pronoun.
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Nothing's impossible! Never say never! They're what I've been following. Hope you to follow them too!

Dina27 · #18 (permalink) Tue Apr 13, 2010 9:32 am *That versus What*

Hello!

Thank you for your explanation Alan. I`ve chosen the right variant but couldn`t explain it. Now everything is clear for me.

Sincerely yours,
Dina

Sows · #19 (permalink) Fri Aug 27, 2010 15:45 pm *That versus What*

It's difficult to understand the difference even though you all have explained it many times. I think i understood by seeing these two sentences.
I don't understand what you are talking about.
I don't understand a word that you are talking about.

Eru · #20 (permalink) Tue Mar 29, 2011 13:34 pm *That versus What*

Well, I really can't understand why that insead of what, because I have always seen it writen with what and not with that.
But anyway I read the explanations..
Thanks

A81091 · #21 (permalink) Sat Jun 25, 2011 3:32 am *That versus What*

Dear Alan,

Thank you very much,

That's helpful for me.:)

Landy

HirokoJoya · #22 (permalink) Sat Jun 25, 2011 10:32 am *That versus What*

Hi,this is Hiroko Joya.I just read about 'that' and 'what' difference.As far as i know we use 'that' where we have bit idea about the topic.But when we don't have any idea about the thing which other person is talking about then we use 'what'.I hope i have explained it rightly.

Ssswathi · #23 (permalink) Wed Aug 24, 2011 1:15 am *That versus What*

hi Alan
Till now I didnt understand why v have used what instead of that can u please explain me

Cherrypzta · #24 (permalink) Tue Apr 17, 2012 21:37 pm *That versus What*

HI Allan!

Why do you write ·that wich· what does it mean? I cant understand!!!!

thanks!!!

Alan · #25 (permalink) Wed Apr 18, 2012 9:15 am *That versus What*

Hi,

'That which' is an archaic (used in an earlier time) form of 'what' as in: That which you cannot see does not worry you.

Further examples:

http://bnc.bl.uk/saraWeb.php?qy=that+which&mysubmit=Go

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

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