Have you ever found yourself second-guessing how to spell the simplest of words? One such word that can leave even the most confident among us scratching our heads is ‘what.’ Fear not! In this article, we’ll unravel the mystery behind its spelling, breaking it down letter by letter and providing you with phonetic pronunciation to ensure you’re saying it correctly. With audio clips at your fingertips, a clear syllable breakdown, and practical examples to guide you, you’ll never falter again. Join us as we explore this essential word and arm yourself with the knowledge to avoid those pesky common misspellings!

How Do You Spell ‘what’ in English?

Wondering how to spell and pronounce the word ‘what’ correctly? Here’s a simple breakdown to help you.

w h a t
ˈdʌb.l̩.juː eɪtʃ tiː

The word ‘what’ is spelled w – h – a – t, and the phonetic transcription of each letter is /ˈdʌb.l̩.juː/ – /eɪtʃ/ – /eɪ/ – /tiː/. The full phonetic transcription of the word ‘what’ is /wʌt/.

Listen to the Spelling of ‘what’

Want to hear how to spell ‘what’? Just press play below!

What Does ‘what’ Mean?

‘What’ is a question word used to ask for information about something or to inquire for clarification.

How to Use ‘what’ – Example Sentences

  • 1. Questioning Information: ‘What time does the meeting start tomorrow?’
  • 2. Expressing Surprise: ‘What a beautiful sunset this is!’
  • 3. Seeking Clarity: ‘Can you explain what you meant by that statement?’
  • 4. Indicating Choice: ‘What flavor of ice cream do you want to try today?’
  • 5. Highlighting Importance: ‘It’s important to remember what truly matters in life.’

Syllable Breakdown of ‘what’

The word ‘what’ is a single-syllable word, so it does not have a syllable division. It is pronounced as ‘wʌt’ in phonetic transcription.

Common Misspellings of ‘what’

Here are some of the most frequent mistakes people make when trying to spell ‘what’:

  • 1. wat
  • 2. whot
  • 3. wut
  • 4. whaat

Avoid these incorrect versions to ensure your writing is accurate and professional!

Thanks for reading! Now you know exactly how to spell and pronounce ‘what‘.
From now on, you can be sure you’re using it the right way — whether you write it or say it!
Want to learn more? Check out other tricky words on our site!

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