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Anonymous Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

Few questions on various topics (mainly clauses)

1. In a sentence:
"He got everything that/what he wanted."

Could we use 'what' instead of 'that'? If not, WHY not?

2. "I am surprised (that) he accepted my proposal. "

Is the clause, "that he accepted my proposal", acting as an adjective complement to "surprised"?

This then will lead to my next question:

Am I correct with my conclusions that an adjective clause is always a noun complement; and that an adverb clause is always an adjective and adverb complement? (As in the case with this sentence:)

"The book that was was written by Nietszche was...."

"The book" - noun phrase (subject) modified by its adjective complement, which is an adjective clause "that was written by Nietszche"

Thanks a lot! I very much appreciate your time.
  

Top answer

Vjean 1. "Could we use 'what' instead of 'that'? If not, WHY not?

— Fivejedjon

  • Vjean 1.
  • "Could we use 'what' instead of 'that'?
  • If not, WHY not?
  • No, we couldn't.
  • 'What' has the idea of 'the thing(s) that'.
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3 Answers
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Vjean1. In a sentence:"He got everything that/what he wanted."Could we use 'what' instead of 'that'? If not, WHY not?
No, we couldn't.

'What' has the idea of 'the thing(s) that'. It is therefore inappropriate after 'everything'.

He got what he wanted.
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fivejedjon

Therefore, using "what" could translate the sentence into this form:

"He got everything 'the things that' he wanted"?
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VjeanTherefore, using "what" could translate the sentence into this form:"He got everything 'the things that' he wanted"?
Yes
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