Understanding the Contraction ‘What’s

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Quick Answer

• ‘What’s’ is a contraction, usually standing for “what is” or “what has.”
• You’ll see it a lot in everyday talk and casual writing.
• Knowing when to use it keeps your sentences on the straight and narrow.

Who This Is For

• Folks learning the ins and outs of English contractions. It’s a common one, so getting it right is a good step.
• Writers who want their dialogue to sound like real people talking. Authenticity is key, and contractions help with that.

What is ‘What’s’ Usage?

Before we dive deep, let’s get a handle on how this little word works. It’s not rocket science, but paying attention helps.

• Verify if ‘what’s’ is used as a substitute for “what is.” This is the most common scenario. Think about sentences where you’d normally say, “What is this?” You can swap it for, “What’s this?” Easy enough.
• Confirm if ‘what’s’ functions as a substitute for “what has.” This is less frequent but still important. It usually happens when ‘what’s’ is followed by a past participle. For example, “What’s happened?” means “What has happened?”
• Check the surrounding sentence structure for context clues. The words before and after ‘what’s’ are your best friends here. They’ll tell you if it’s a question, a statement, and what verb it’s attached to. Don’t just guess; look at the evidence.

Step-by-Step Plan for Understanding the ‘What’s’ Contraction

Let’s break down how to nail the usage of ‘what’s’. It’s all about being observant and a little bit logical.

1. Spot ‘What’s’: First off, you gotta find the word itself.

• Action: Scan your text or listen in conversation for the word ‘what’s’.
• What to look for: The unmistakable presence of the apostrophe between the ‘t’ and the ‘s’. This is your primary indicator that it’s a contraction.
• Mistake to avoid: Thinking ‘whats’ without an apostrophe is the same thing. It’s not. ‘Whats’ isn’t a standard English word in this context. It’s like showing up to a campsite without a tent – just not right.

2. Examine the Following Words: See what comes right after ‘what’s’. This is where the real clues hide.

• Action: Look at the word or words immediately following ‘what’s’.
• What to look for: Are you seeing verbs ending in “-ing” (like ‘going,’ ‘happening,’ ‘cooking’)? Or are you seeing a past participle (like ‘done,’ ‘seen,’ ‘broken’)? Or maybe a noun or pronoun?
• Mistake to avoid: Assuming it always means “what is” without checking for “what has.” This can lead to misunderstandings, especially when dealing with past events.

3. Analyze Sentence Type: Is it a question or a statement? This matters.

• Action: Determine if the sentence is interrogative (a question) or declarative (a statement).
• What to look for: The presence of a question mark at the end of the sentence is a big sign. Questions frequently use ‘what’s’ to kick things off.
• Mistake to avoid: Missing the question mark and assuming it’s a statement. This can throw off your interpretation of the sentence’s intent.

4. Test the Expansion: This is your sanity check.

• Action: Mentally, or even by writing it down, replace ‘what’s’ with “what is” and then with “what has.”
• What to look for: Which expansion makes the sentence sound grammatically correct and logical? If “what is” fits, that’s your answer. If “what has” fits, you’ve found it.
• Mistake to avoid: Forcing an expansion that sounds awkward or doesn’t make sense. If it feels wrong, it probably is. Trust your gut, but also your grammar.

5. Context is King: Don’t just look at the word in isolation.

• Action: Read the entire sentence and the sentences surrounding it.
• What to look for: The overall flow and meaning of the passage. Does the contraction fit naturally into the conversation or narrative? Does it sound like something someone would actually say?
• Mistake to avoid: Isolating ‘what’s’ and ignoring the bigger picture. Sometimes the surrounding words provide the final piece of the puzzle.

Understanding What’s What’s: Navigating Common Mistakes

Even with a clear plan, it’s easy to trip up. Here are some common pitfalls when using ‘what’s’.

• Mistaking ‘what’s’ for the plural ‘whats’
• Why it matters: There’s simply no standard English word ‘whats’ when you intend to use a contraction for “what is” or “what has.” Using it is a clear grammatical error that can confuse your reader. It’s like trying to use a flathead screwdriver on a Phillips head screw – it just won’t work.
• Fix: Always ensure the apostrophe is present. ‘What’s’ with the apostrophe is the correct form for the contraction. If you see ‘whats’ without an apostrophe, it’s likely a typo or a misunderstanding.
• Confusing ‘what’s’ (what is/has) with ‘whose’
• Why it matters: These words sound somewhat similar, especially in fast speech, but they have completely different meanings and grammatical functions. ‘What’s’ is a contraction referring to “what is” or “what has.” ‘Whose’ is a possessive pronoun or determiner, indicating ownership (e.g., “Whose backpack is this?”). Mixing them up changes the meaning of your sentence entirely.
• Fix: Remember that ‘what’s’ is a contraction and relates to an action or state. ‘Whose’ always relates to possession or ownership. If you’re asking about who something belongs to, use ‘whose’. If you’re asking about a state or event, use ‘what’s’.
• Overusing ‘what’s’ in formal writing
• Why it matters: Contractions like ‘what’s’ are generally considered informal. Stuffing them into formal documents like academic essays, business reports, or official correspondence can make your writing sound too casual and less professional. It can detract from the seriousness of your message.
• Fix: In formal contexts, it’s best practice to use the full forms: “what is” or “what has.” Save contractions like ‘what’s’ for when you’re writing dialogue, personal emails, blog posts, or any other situation where a relaxed, conversational tone is appropriate. Think of it like wearing hiking boots to a black-tie event – it just doesn’t fit the occasion.
• Incorrect placement of the apostrophe
• Why it matters: The apostrophe in ‘what’s’ is crucial. If it’s misplaced, like ‘w’hats’ or ‘wha’ts’, the word is rendered incorrect and nonsensical. It breaks the flow and can make the reader question your attention to detail.
• Fix: The apostrophe always goes between the ‘t’ and the ‘s’ in ‘what’s’. It signals the omission of the ‘i’ from “is” or the ‘ha’ from “has.”

FAQ: Your Burning Questions About ‘What’s’ Answered

Got more questions swirling around this contraction? We’ve got you covered.

• What does ‘what’s’ stand for?

‘What’s’ is a contraction. It most commonly stands for “what is.” Less frequently, it can stand for “what has.” For example, “What’s happening?” means “What is happening?” and “What’s been done?” means “What has been done?”

• Is ‘what’s’ formal or informal?

‘What’s’ is definitely considered informal. You’ll hear and see it all the time in everyday conversations, text messages, social media, and casual writing. However, in formal settings like academic papers, business proposals, or official letters, it’s better to use the full phrases “what is” or “what has.”

• Can ‘what’s’ be used at the beginning of a sentence?

Absolutely! In fact, ‘what’s’ is very frequently used at the beginning of sentences, especially when asking questions. Think of common questions like, “What’s the matter?” “What’s new?” or “What’s for dinner?” It’s a natural way to start an inquiry.

• How do I know if ‘what’s’ means “what is” or “what has”?

The best way to figure this out is by looking at the word that follows ‘what’s’. If it’s a verb ending in “-ing” (like ‘going,’ ‘eating,’ ‘working’), it’s almost certainly “what is.” If it’s a past participle (like ‘done,’ ‘seen,’ ‘finished’), it’s likely “what has.” The overall context of the sentence will also provide strong clues.

• Are there other contractions that work like ‘what’s’?

Yes, many! The apostrophe is the key indicator of a contraction where letters are omitted. You’ll see similar patterns with other verbs. For example, “it’s” for “it is” or “it has,” “he’s” for “he is” or “he has,” “she’s” for “she is” or “she has,” and “there’s” for “there is” or “there has.”

• When did contractions like ‘what’s’ become acceptable?

Contractions have been part of the English language for centuries, evolving naturally from spoken language. While they were often viewed as informal or even incorrect in very early formal writing, they became widely accepted in literature and general communication over time. Their use reflects the natural rhythm and efficiency of spoken English.

• Can ‘what’s’ ever mean anything else?

In standard English, ‘what’s’ exclusively functions as a contraction for “what is” or “what has.” You won’t find it meaning something entirely different. If you encounter a word spelled ‘whats‘ without an apostrophe, it’s not a standard English word and likely a typo.