What-cleft sentences
Definition
A what-cleft, also called a pseudo-cleft, divides a message into a what-clause and a focused complement linked by be: What I need is a holiday. The opening clause presents shared or background information; the final element receives focus.
Examples
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What I need is a holiday.
The sentence focuses a holiday as the thing needed.
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What surprised me was her calm reaction.
The focused noun phrase identifies the surprising element.
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What they did was cancel the meeting.
The structure focuses the action cancel the meeting.
Neutral statement vs. what-cleft
I need a holiday.
The information appears in ordinary subject–verb–object order.
What I need is a holiday.
The final noun phrase receives stronger focus.
The what-cleft reorganizes the same core meaning so that the focused information arrives after be.
The focused element can come first in a reversed pseudo-cleft
A related pattern places the focused element before be and the what-clause afterward. This is often called a reversed pseudo-cleft.
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A holiday is what I need.
The focused noun phrase comes first.
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To speak to the manager is what she wanted.
A to-infinitive phrase is placed in the initial focus position.
Common mistakes
What I need it is a holiday.
What I need is a holiday.
The what-clause already functions as the subject, so do not add it.
What do I need is a holiday.
What I need is a holiday.
The embedded what-clause uses statement word order, not question word order.
Quick check
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence is a correct what-cleft?
The pattern uses statement order inside the what-clause: What we need is ...Which sentence correctly focuses an action?
After What she did was, the focused action can use the base form close.Which sentence is a reversed pseudo-cleft?
The focused element A quiet evening comes first, followed by is what I need.Nice work — you've completed the quick check.
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