What is more

You will usually see this phrase at the start of a new sentence or right after a semicolon. It acts as a bridge between two related ideas where the second one is more significant. You must always follow it with a comma to give the reader a moment to prepare for the 'extra' info. For example: The hotel was very cheap. What is more, it was right on the beach. Notice how the beach part is even better than the price? That is the sweet spot for this phrase. It connects a good thing to a great thing, or a bad thing to a worse thing. It is all about that upward or downward trajectory of importance. Just remember that it needs a previous statement to live—it cannot stand alone at the very start of a conversation.

This is a heavy hitter in the world of C1 English. It is quite formal and sophisticated. You will find it frequently in academic essays, professional reports, and serious journalism. It is the kind of phrase that makes you sound well-educated and articulate. While you can use it in speech, it is usually reserved for professional presentations or structured debates. Using it in a casual group chat might make you sound like a Victorian professor who got lost in a digital world. If you are writing a cover letter or a formal complaint, this phrase is your best friend. It shows you can organize complex thoughts and present them with a specific rhetorical flow. It is a 'power' connector for serious contexts.

You might see this on a high-end travel vlog or a professional LinkedIn post. Imagine a review of a new smartphone: The battery life is incredible. What is more, the camera quality rivals professional equipment. Or think about a news report on urban development: The new park will provide green space for thousands. What is more, it will be entirely solar-powered. Even in streaming, a Netflix summary might say: The protagonist must face his past. What is more, he must protect his family from a hidden threat. In each case, the second point adds a layer of intensity that the first point lacked. It is perfect for those 'Wait, there's more!' scenarios that we see in marketing and storytelling every single day.

Use this when you want to emphasize that your second point is the real star of the show. It is perfect for persuasive writing where you want to lead the reader toward a definitive conclusion. If you are trying to convince your parents to let you travel, you might say: I have saved enough money for the flight. What is more, I have already found a safe place to stay. It is also great for expressing indignation or strong opinions. The service at the restaurant was slow. What is more, the waiter was incredibly rude. Use it when you want to show a clear hierarchy of information. It tells the listener: 'If you liked the first point, you are going to love (or hate) this next one.'

Do not pull this phrase out when you are just listing basic items. Telling your friend I bought milk. What is more, I bought eggs sounds like you are trying to win an award for grocery shopping. It is way too heavy for low-stakes daily chores. Also, avoid it if your second point is actually less important than the first. If you say The car is incredibly fast. What is more, it has a nice cup holder, the listener will feel let down. The cup holder is fine, but it is not 'more' than the engine. Using it here makes your logic look a bit shaky. Finally, don't use it in very casual settings like yelling to a friend across a busy street. It is a bit too 'buttoned-up' for that.

A very frequent slip-up is forgetting that essential comma. What is more he is kind looks like a messy first draft; it needs that pause to work. Another mistake is using it as a synonym for 'also' without the escalation. ✗ I like pizza. What is more, I like pasta. → ✓ I like pizza. Also, I like pasta. Save what is more for when the pasta is the best you have ever had in your life. Some people also try to use it to start a brand new topic. ✗ What is more, let's talk about the weather. This doesn't work because there is no 'less' to build upon. It always needs a foundation. Don't be that person who uses big words just to sound smart—use them to be precise!

The most direct cousin of this phrase is moreover. They are almost identical, but moreover feels even more like a textbook. If what is more is a professional suit, moreover is a full tuxedo. In spoken English, you will often hear people shorten it to what's more. This is much more common in podcasts or business meetings and feels a bit less stiff. You might also see furthermore, which is great for adding another logical step in a sequence. If you want something a bit more modern and 'techy,' you might use in addition. However, none of these quite capture that specific 'building momentum' vibe that what is more provides so well. Choose your weapon based on how formal you want to be.

Is what is more the same as and? Not really. And just links things, while what is more highlights that the next thing is more important. Can I use it in an email? Yes, it is perfect for professional emails where you want to sound persuasive. Is it okay for IELTS? Absolutely, it is a high-level connector that examiners love to see in Task 2 essays. Should I use the contraction what's more? In writing, stick to the full version. In speech, the contraction is much more natural and friendly. It is all about matching the energy of the room you are in. Does it always have to be at the start? Usually, yes, or after a semicolon to show a clear break between thoughts.