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what

Meaning and use: the thing(s) which​

What does not refer to a noun that comes before it. It acts as noun + relative pronoun together, and means ‘the thing(s) which’. Clauses beginning with what can act as subjects, objects, or complements after be.

  • What she said made me angry. (subject of made)
  • I hope you’re going to give me what I need. (object of give)
  • This is exactly what I wanted. (complement)
note

For singular and plural verbs after what (e.g. What we need most is/are books), (see here).

what not used​

What is only used to mean ‘the thing(s) which’. It cannot be used as an ordinary relative pronoun after a noun or pronoun.

  • We haven’t got everything that you ordered. (not … everything what …)
  • The only thing that keeps me awake is coffee. (not The only thing what …)

We use which, not what, to refer to a whole clause that comes before. (see here)

  • Sophie married Joe, which made Oliver unhappy. (not … what made …)

what as a determiner: what money he has​

What can also be used as a determiner with a noun. It often means something like ‘the only’, ‘the little’ or ‘the few’.

  • What money he has comes from his family. (= The little money that he has …)
  • I’ll give you what help I can. (= … any help that I can.)
note

For sentences like What I want is a rest (‘cleft sentences’), (see here).