Use of What and That

Use of What and That

Some students have trouble understanding when to use “what” and “that” in a sentence. These tips will help you choose the right word.

Use What when you are describing ideas, qualities and things, but not when referring to people or animals.

Correct:   I didn’t know what tasks she wanted me to do for the new advertising campaign.
(= the things she wanted)

Correct:  She had very good suggestions for what to do about creating new jobs (= ideas)
Correct:  What do you think the artist was trying to say in this painting (= ideas, qualities)

Incorrect:  He is the man what I mentioned yesterday. (use the relative pronoun who)
Incorrect:  The lion what was shot by the hunter was a national symbol of Zimbabwe.
(use that)

Use That when you are referring to people, animals, ideas, qualities and things.

Correct:  The professor said that our grades would depend on our participation in class
and our two essay assignments. (= things that are counted in the grade)

Incorrect: The city employee that helped me find my family’s birth records is sitting at the
information desk. (use who, referring to a specific person)