what-clause + be + focusThe wh-clause introduces the situation. The new or important information comes after be.
Wh-Cleft (Pseudo-Cleft)
C1A wh-cleft uses a wh-clause + be to spotlight the final part of the sentence. Example: What I need is a break.
What you'll learn
- Use wh-clefts to move the main focus to the end.
- Build what-clause + be + focus.
- Choose is or are to match the focused phrase.
- Focus a person, thing, or idea after be.
- Focus an action or full message after be.
Structure
What + clause + be + noun phraseUse this when the focus is a person, thing, place, or idea.
What + clause + be + to-infinitive / -ing phrase / full clauseUse this when the focus is an action, plan, or full message, not just a noun.
Build a sentence
Wh-clause
Focus
What I needisa break
What I need is a break.
Use is before a singular noun phrase.
When to use
Emphasis
Use a wh-cleft when one part matters most and you want the listener to wait for it at the end: What I need is a break.
Clarifying
Use it to correct or clarify the real point in a discussion: What Tom meant was that we should leave early.
Actions and plans
Use it when the focus is not a noun but an action or whole idea: What Lisa wants is to start again.
Markers
what I needwhat we needwhat I wantwhat Maria meantwhat happened
In contrast
vs it-cleft
Wh-cleft puts the focus after be: What I need is a break. It-cleft puts the focus right after it is: It is a break that I need.
vs fronting
Fronting moves one item to the start. A wh-cleft builds a full frame with what-clause + be, then places the focus at the end.
Common mistakes
Wrong
What I need a break.
Correct
What I need is a break.
The wh-clause and the focused part need be between them.
Wrong
What we need is new chairs.
Correct
What we need are new chairs.
With a plural focused noun phrase, use are.
Wrong
What Maria wants is a talk to Tom.
Correct
What Maria wants is to talk to Tom.
If the focus is an action, use an action form after be, not a weak noun substitute.
Wrong
What I need is break a.
Correct
What I need is a break.
The focused part keeps normal English word order after be.
Common misconceptions
❝ After a wh-cleft, only a noun can come after be. ❞
After be, you can focus a noun phrase, an action, or a full clause: What Lisa wants is to leave now.
❝ A wh-cleft says exactly the same thing as a basic sentence, so the choice does not matter. ❞
The core meaning stays similar, but the information focus changes. A wh-cleft makes one part stand out more strongly.
Skills in this rule (5)
USE_WH_CLEFT_FOR_FOCUSw5Use a wh-cleft to put the main focus at the end
Use a wh-clause plus be when you want to present information step by step and highlight the final word or phrase. The focused part comes after be.
BUILD_WH_CLAUSE_PLUS_BEw5Build a sentence with what-clause + be + focus
Start with what + clause, then use be, then add the focused word, phrase, or clause. This pattern repackages a basic sentence to make one part stand out.
MATCH_BE_TO_HEADWORDw4Choose singular or plural be after the wh-clause
Use is before a singular focused noun phrase and are before a plural one. With non-noun focus such as to-infinitives or clauses, singular be is standard.
FOCUS_A_NOUN_PHRASEw4Focus a noun phrase after be
Put the key person, thing, place, or idea after be. The rest of the message stays inside the what-clause.
FOCUS_AN_ACTION_OR_CLAUSEw4Focus an action, plan, or full clause after be
After be, you can place an infinitive phrase, an -ing phrase, or a full clause when that whole action or message is the focus.