What I need is…: cleft sentences for focus
Use what-clauses, it-clefts and all / the reason / the thing to put the focus where you want it
What you'll be able to do
Highlight the key point in presentations, meetings and writing: correct a misunderstanding, stress what matters most, or say what you really mean.
What-clefts
What + clause + be + focus:
- What I need is a long holiday.focus on a long holiday
- What surprised me was how calm she stayed.focus on her calm
It-clefts
It + be + focus + who / that + rest: often to correct someone.
- It was Ana who found the error, not Tom.focus on Ana
- It's the cost that worries me.focus on the cost
For people, both who and that are correct: It was Ana who / that found it.
Other patterns
- All I want is a quiet weekend.only this
- The reason I left is that the hours were too long.focus on the reason
- The thing is, we don't have enough time.introducing the main problem (spoken)
Common mistakes
That I need is a holiday.→ What I need is a holiday.What I need it is a holiday.No extra it: What I need is…The reason is because…In careful English: The reason is that…
Practice
- _____ I really need right now is a cup of coffee.Options: What · That · Which
Show the answer
What — What-cleft: What + clause + is…
- It was the noise _____ kept me awake, not the heat.Options: that · what · where
Show the answer
that — It + be + focus + that…
- _____ I want is some peace and quiet.Options: All · Every · Whole
Show the answer
All — All I want is… = the only thing I want.
- Which sentence puts the focus on Ana?Options: It was Ana who found the mistake. · Ana found the mistake yesterday. · The mistake was found.
Show the answer
It was Ana who found the mistake. — It-cleft: It was + focus + who…
- The reason we moved is _____ the rent kept rising.
Show the answer
that — The reason … is that…
In the app, this lesson is taught one idea at a time with the examples read aloud, then practised with questions you answer by choosing or typing. It comes back for review on later days, until you can use it without help.
More on this topic: Emphasis in English: inversion and cleft sentences