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Consider:

I would like to review all that I learnt.
I would like to review what I learnt.

I think these two are fine, but I'd like to know why all what would be incorrect.

Could anyone possibly elaborate it so that I could understand it well?

Thanks in advance!

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    Your title asks about the difference between which and that, which is treated here, but your sentences use all that and what. Which are you looking for help with? Commented Jul 8, 2014 at 6:17
  • You can review all that you learnt. But you'd have to review all of what you learnt. ("All what you learnt " on its own isn't said).
    – doc
    Commented Jul 8, 2014 at 16:19

1 Answer 1

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There is a controversy here caused by grammar-checkers in word processor software:

If you write,

I bent over to pick move a broom which was lying in front of the door,"

Microsoft Office is likely to alert you to an error, suggesting that you substitute "which" with "that."

I'm happier with which and I wonder if the suggested that is not an Americanism. In any case, either will do in this context.

In your own phrase, however:

"I would like to review all that I learnt." is the only of the two options to be correct. "All what I learnt" is not English and, unlike what happens with new and catchy terms whose usage might catch on, we tend to pity the person who says "all what I learnt," somehow associating it with an underprivileged childhood, I'm ashamed to say!

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