Meaning
A pseudo‑cleft sentence used to emphasize or clarify a specific element within a larger statement.
Primary Function
Emphasis and clarification
Communicative Purpose
To highlight the most important part of a message, often for correction or specification.
Pattern
What; is
Core Structure
What; is
Função primária
Emphasis and clarification
Propósito comunicativo
To highlight the most important part of a message, often for correction or specification.
Situações de gatilho
When defining terms, making key points, summarising information.
Contextos
Presentations, academic writing, formal arguments, everyday conversation.
Padrão
What; is
Estrutura central
What; is
Slots de substituição
Clause subject/verb and complement can vary: noun phrase, subordinate clause, infinitive, etc.
Colocados típicos
- What matters is…
- What I mean is…
- What we need is…
- What happens is…
- What I’m saying is…
Substituições comuns
- All that … is
- The thing that … is
Erros comuns
Omitting “what” entirely; using singular verb with a plural complement (e.g., *What I like are sports* – less common but acceptable).
Similar / contraste
It‑cleft constructions such as ‘It is the fact that …’ and contrastive structures like ‘The reason … is …’.
Interferências
Some languages use prepositions or particles incorrectly, e.g., swapping ‘which’ for ‘that’ without proper clause marking.
Família do chunk
- wh-cleft frames
Nuance
Pseudo‑clefts naturally embed information while sounding natural in speech and writing; they differ from fixed idioms by allowing flexible complements.
Efeito pragmático
Directly draws attention to a point of emphasis, aiding comprehension and persuasion.
Dica de memória
What matters is...
Nota
This is a versatile structure used in both academic and informal contexts to emphasize key points. It is especially useful for correcting misunderstandings or reinforcing important details. The structure can be adjusted to fit various grammatical forms, allowing for a high degree of flexibility in expression.
Upgrade path
“What we should be focusing on is…”
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