Cleft sentences: it is ... that and what

It was Anna who called, what I need is a break, all I want is: putting one part in focus.

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A cleft sentence splits one simple sentence into two parts, so that one piece of information stands out. In speech we can show the focus with stress; in writing, a cleft sentence does the same job. The two main patterns start with It is / It was or with What.

Plain sentence	Cleft sentence
Anna broke the vase.	It was Anna who broke the vase.
Anna broke the vase.	It was the vase that Anna broke.
I need a long holiday.	What I need is a long holiday.
I only want some sleep.	All I want is some sleep.

It + be + focus + that / who

Put the part you want to stress after It is or It was, then continue with that, or who for a person. The focus can be a person, a thing, a time, a place or a whole clause. Be shows the tense; the verb after that keeps its own tense.

It was my sister who found the keys, not me.
It's the noise that I can't stand, not the heat.
It was in 2015 that we moved to Bristol.
It was only when I got home that I noticed the scratch.
It wasn't until midnight that the last guests left.
It isn't the money that worries me. It's the time.
Incorrect: It was in Paris where we first met.
Correct: It was in Paris that we first met.
In an it-cleft, use that even after a place or a time.
Incorrect: It is my brother which deals with the accounts.
Correct: It is my brother who deals with the accounts.

What + clause + be

A what clause can be the subject, followed by is or was and the focus. The new or important information comes at the end, where English puts the weight.

What I need is a good night's sleep.
What surprised me was how calm she stayed.
What we're looking for is someone with experience.
Incorrect: What I need it is a holiday.
Correct: What I need is a holiday.
The what clause is already the subject, so don't add it.
Incorrect: What I want is that you listen to me.
Correct: What I want is for you to listen to me.
In a what-cleft with want, use for + person + to, not a that clause.

What ... do is / was + (to) verb

To focus on an action, use what + subject + do, then is / was and the verb. The verb can be with or without to.

What she did was (to) call the police.
What you should do is talk to your manager.
What happened was (that) the train broke down.

Reversed: that's what, this is where

The what part can also come at the end. This is very common in conversation, often with that's or this is.

A long holiday is what I need.
That's what I meant.
This is where we used to live.
That's why I didn't call you.

All, the thing, the reason

All (= the only thing) and nouns like the thing, the place, the person, the reason work like what.

All I want is a quiet evening at home.
All you have to do is sign here.
The thing that annoys me is the waste.
The reason (why) I left is that I wanted a change.
Incorrect: The reason I left is because I wanted a change.
Correct: The reason I left is that I wanted a change.
Reason already means "because". You will hear because in speech, but use that in careful writing.