Why is ‘what’ necessary in the sentence ‘The particularly high nitrogen content in guano, in fact, is what made the waste material an ideal fertilizer’?

In the sentence ‘The particularly high nitrogen content in guano, in fact, is what made the waste material an ideal fertilizer,’ the word ‘what’ is essential for the grammatical structure. The function of ‘what’ in this context is to introduce a noun clause that explains the subject of the sentence. Let’s break it down:

1. The Role of ‘What’ in the Sentence

The phrase ‘what made the waste material an ideal fertilizer’ is a noun clause that serves as the subject complement. Without ‘what,’ the sentence would lack a clear explanation of ‘what’ made the waste material ideal. Essentially, ‘what’ connects the subject ‘the high nitrogen content in guano’ to its effect, which is ‘making the waste material an ideal fertilizer.’

2. The Function of Noun Clauses

A noun clause like ‘what made the waste material an ideal fertilizer’ functions as a subject or object in a sentence. In this case, it acts as the subject complement, giving more detail about the subject ‘the high nitrogen content.’ The clause can’t stand alone without ‘what’ as it needs an introducer to complete the thought.

3. Why Can’t We Simply Omit ‘What’?

If we remove ‘what,’ the sentence becomes incomplete or awkward. It would read: ‘The particularly high nitrogen content in guano, in fact, is made the waste material an ideal fertilizer,’ which is grammatically incorrect. The word ‘what’ serves as a crucial connector between the subject and the explanation of its impact.

4. Understanding Grammatical Structures with ‘What’

In English, ‘what’ is often used to form a noun clause that explains or defines something. It is not a filler word but a necessary part of the sentence that clarifies the meaning. Recognizing when to use ‘what’ can greatly improve clarity and correctness in writing.

Conclusion

In summary, the word ‘what’ is essential in the sentence ‘The particularly high nitrogen content in guano, in fact, is what made the waste material an ideal fertilizer’ because it introduces a noun clause that connects the subject with its effect. It provides the necessary grammatical structure to explain the cause-and-effect relationship clearly.