BBC news 2010-01-20 加文本

They were trying to secure a multimillion-dollar weapons contract with what they thought was a top African government official.

what they thought was是what引导的宾语从句。What引导从句的种类：

一.引导主语从句

　　1)What we need is moretime.(what做need的宾语)我们所需要的是更多的时间.2)Whatreally matters is that shewore a pair of

whiteshoes.(what做matters的主语)真正麻烦的是她穿了一双白鞋.

　　二.引导宾语从句

　　1)People were perhaps more honest a long time ago when lifewasvery different from what itistoday.(what做从句中is的表语)很

久以前当生活与现在的生活完全不同时，人们或许更诚实.2)People haveheardwhat the President has said;they are waiting to see what hewilldo.(what分别做动词heard和see的宾语)人们已经听到了总统所说的；他们正等着看总统会做什么.

　　三.引导表语从句

　　1)Whether ways will be found to stop pollution or not is justwhatworries the public.(what做从句中的主语)是否能找到阻止污染的方法就是所令民众担心的事儿.2)Thatiswhat I want to tell you.(what做从句中的宾语)那就是我想告诉你的事儿.3)The littlegirlis no longer what she used tobe.(what做从句中的表语)这个小女孩不再是过去的样子了.

　　四.引导同位语从句

　　1)They have no idea at all what he isworkingon.(what做从句的宾语)他们一点儿都不知道他正在做什么.2)You have no idea whatIsuffered.(what做从句的宾语)你不知道我所遭受的痛苦.通过以上例句及解释我们可以得出：what常用来引导名词性从句，即主语从句，宾语从句，表语从句和同位语从句.what在引导名词性从句时有两个重要的特点：一是它在相应的名词性从句中一定有含义，常表示“什么”，“所…的”，“…的样子”等.二是它在相应的名词性从句中一定做成分，而且常做主语，宾语或表语。