Why was "what" used in the sentence?(Grammar Quest

PJ   Sat Nov 08, 2008 1:16 am GMT
What i have are all a bit small because i've gained weight since last year.

i think the below sentence is more correct than the above.

All i have are a bit small because i've gained weight since last year.

i wonder the role of "what".
Jhocasta   Sat Nov 08, 2008 3:01 am GMT
Either sounds okay to me. You could also say "What clothes that I have are all a bit small since I've gained weight since last year."

I reckon the 'what' is used in place of 'the', I'm from the American South and using what in this sentence would be very common.
PJ   Sat Nov 08, 2008 4:42 am GMT
i understand it.Thanks for your reply.
Another Guest   Sun Nov 09, 2008 12:01 am GMT
No, "All i have are a bit small" is not correct. You could say "All of the ones that I have are a bit small". Or "All I have are pants that are too small" or "All the pants that I have are a bit small".

"What" is used because "I have" needs an object.