Meaning
Highlighting a question as the central issue
Primary Function
Thematic framing of a question
Communicative Purpose
To define the exact problem or focus of discussion
Pattern
is
Core Structure
is
Função primária
Thematic framing of a question
Propósito comunicativo
To define the exact problem or focus of discussion
Situações de gatilho
Focusing a meeting, structuring an argument, transition in essay
Contextos
Academic, professional, debate
Padrão
is
Estrutura central
is
Slots de substituição
wh-word clause (What we need to decide is…; Whether it works is…)
Colocados típicos
- The question is whether…
- The issue is how…
- The problem is that…
- What remains to be seen is…
Substituições comuns
- “What needs to be determined is…”
- “It is unclear …”
Erros comuns
Omitting ‘that’ in formal writing for clarity
Similar / contraste
“What matters is…” (pseudo-cleft); “It is not known whether…”
Interferências
Using 'if' instead of 'whether' in subject position: *If it’s true is unclear* → Whether it’s true is unclear.
Família do chunk
- embedded question as subject frames
Nuance
Directs attention to the crux of the matter
Efeito pragmático
Helps structure discourse and highlight key unknowns
Dica de memória
“The question is whether…”
Nota
This structure is used to emphasize the central question or issue in a discussion, often in formal or academic contexts.
Upgrade path
“The fundamental issue is whether we can sustain…”
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