Difference between what and that

by LIla
(Canada)

Do we say "the book that I need" or "the book what I need"?

Comments for Difference between what and that

Click here to add your own comments

Jan 27, 2011
 "What" is usually a question word.
by: Ola Zur

Hi,

"The book that I need" is the correct one.

Here is the explanation:

"What" is usually a question word.

Examples:
"What are you doing?"
"What are these?"
"What is your idea?"

"What" can also be used with the meaning of "the thing or things".

Here are some examples:
"What you need is a good night sleep." (= The thing you need is a good night sleep.)
"We don't know what to do." (= We don't know which things to do.)
"You know what to do." (= You know which things to do.)

"That" is used to describe and define the thing you are talking about.

For example:
"I want the pen."
"Which pen?"
"I want the pen that is on the desk."

Here's another example:
"I saw that girl."
"Which girl?"
"The girl that you invited to the party."

Now, regarding your specific sentence:
"The book what I need" would mean "the book which thing I need."
This doesn't make sense, does it?

On the other hand: "The book that I need" makes perfect sense, because you are giving a description of the book.

I hope this helps. You can also visit my English Parts of Speech page, and find more data and examples there (look for it in the pronouns section).

Ola Zur is the editor of www.really-learn-english.com, an illustrated guide to English.

Click here to add your own comments

Return to ask your grammar questions here..

Still looking?  Search the site for exactly what you need using the site search box below.

Happy exploring!

Share this page:
Enjoy this page? Please pay it forward. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.

Discover these Amazing ESL Materials!

It's English Time! English Express! 5 Simple Steps to Better Writing! English Harmony 2.0! Pronunciation Power!
Effortless English! Best Accent Training! Ola Zur! English Grammar Revolution! English Success

Sign-up For The Learn English Newsletter

Your E-mail Address
Your First Name (optional)
Then

Don't worry — your e-mail address is totally secure.
I promise to use it only to send you Learn English Newsletter.