what you

USAGE SUMMARY

"what you" is not a complete sentence.
To use this phrase in written English, you will need to add additional words to create a complete sentence. For example: "What you said was very insightful."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"What you saw was what you got.

The New York Times - Sports

Say what you... like?

Independent

What you can do.

Independent

So what, you shrug.

The New York Times

"What you afraid of?

The New Yorker

Here's what you sacrifice.

The New York Times

Post what, you ask?

The New York Times

That's what you do­.

The Economist

That's what you wanted!

The New Yorker

That's what you did".

The New York Times - Books

Look what you did.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always ensure that "what you" is followed by a verb or phrase that completes the thought and makes the sentence grammatically correct. For instance, use phrases like "what you see", "what you said", or "what you want".

Common error

Avoid using "what you" as a standalone phrase. It typically needs a verb to create a complete thought. Saying just "what you" leaves the sentence unfinished and unclear. Instead, add a verb or a phrase to complete the thought.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what you" functions as an incomplete clause needing a verb to form a complete thought. As Ludwig AI states, it's not a complete sentence on its own. Examples from Ludwig show how it's often used as part of questions, statements, or idiomatic expressions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

28%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "what you" is a versatile but incomplete grammatical unit. According to Ludwig AI, it requires a verb to form a coherent sentence. It appears frequently across various contexts, including news, science, and informal writing. Remember to always complete the phrase with a verb or phrase to ensure grammatical correctness and clarity. Common usages include "what you see", "what you said", and "what you want". By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "what you" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what you said

Adds a verb to specify the action being referenced.

what you mean

Adds a verb to inquire about someone's intended meaning.

what you do

Adds a verb to ask about someone's profession or regular activities.

what you want

Adds a verb to express desire or preference.

what you think

Adds a verb to seek someone's opinion.

what you need

Adds a verb to ask about someone's requirements.

what you get

Completes the phrase to form the idiom "what you see is what you get."

the things you...

Expands the phrase to introduce a topic or subject.

all that you...

Expands the phrase to emphasize the totality of something.

everything you...

Expands the phrase to emphasize the totality of actions or things.

FAQs

How to properly use "what you" in a sentence?

To use "what you" correctly, always follow it with a verb or phrase that completes the thought. Examples include "what you see", "what you said", or "what you want". Without a verb, the phrase is incomplete and grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "what you say" and "what you said"?

"What you say" refers to something you are currently saying or generally say, while "what you said" refers to something you stated in the past. The tense of the verb changes the meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "what you"?

Yes, it can be grammatically correct to start a sentence with "what you", but it must be followed by a verb or phrase to complete the thought. For example, "What you do is your business."

What are some alternatives to "what you see is what you get"?

Alternatives to "what you see is what you get" include "it is straightforward", "it is exactly as it appears", or "there are no hidden surprises".