Pronunciation: [wˈɒts] (IPA)
The word "what's" is a contraction of "what is" or "what has". Despite it being a simple word, the spelling can be tricky. In IPA phonetic transcription, the word is pronounced /wʌts/. The "wh" sound is a voiceless w sound, followed by a short u sound /ʌ/, and finally the "ts" consonant blend. When using the contraction "what's," it is important to remember which verb tense to use, and to pay attention to homophones like "whats" or "watts".
"What's" is a contraction of the words "what" and "is" or "what" and "has," commonly used in informal speech and writing. It functions as a question word that seeks information about something or seeks an explanation.
In its usage as a contraction of "what is," "what's" is often employed to inquire about the nature, understanding, or identity of a person, thing, or situation. It is used to ask for descriptions, definitions, or characteristics. For example, one might ask, "What's your favorite color?" to determine a person's preferred hue.
When "what's" contracts "what has," it is generally used to ask about possession, ownership, or experiences. It seeks knowledge about an action or a state that has occurred in the past or is ongoing in the present. For instance, an individual might inquire, "What's happened to my phone?" to discover the reason or cause behind the current state of their misplaced or broken device.
In summary, "what's" is a colloquial contraction encompassing the functions of both question words "what is" and "what has." It serves as a versatile tool to obtain information regarding a range of topics or to ascertain explanations, characteristics, and details about various situations, possessions, experiences, or individuals.
The word "what's" is a contraction of two words: "what" and "is". The contraction "what's" originated in the English language as a way to combine the two words and make speech or writing more efficient.