wat...is

Pseudo-cleft

Level 5

The pseudo-cleft splits a sentence to create emphasis. It starts with a wat-clause (the background) and ends with the focus (the most important part), connected by the verb zijn (to be).

How It Works

The pseudo-cleft (or wat-cleft) is a powerful tool for emphasis in Dutch. It functions like a 'drumroll,' delaying the most important information until the very end of the sentence.

1. Word Order
Because the sentence starts with a free relative clause beginning with wat, the first part of the sentence must follow subordinate word order (the verb goes to the end).

2. The Copula (zijn)
The two parts of the sentence are linked by a form of zijn (is, was, zijn, waren).

3. Plural Agreement
A crucial rule in Dutch pseudo-clefts is verb agreement. While the wat-clause is singular, the linking verb must agree with the focus constituent (the part at the end). If that part is plural, the verb must be plural.

  • Singular: Wat we zoeken, is een oplossing. (Singular focus)
  • Plural: Wat we zoeken, zijn nieuwe collega's. (Plural focus - 'zijn' is required here).

4. Reflexives
If the focus part contains a reflexive pronoun, it can 'reach back' to the subject inside the wat-clause for its meaning.
Example: Wat hij wil, is zichzelf bewijzen. (What he wants, is to prove himself.)

Examples (4)

  1. Wat me het meeste opvalt, is zijn enorme enthousiasme.

    What strikes me the most, is his enormous enthusiasm.

    Word by Word: What me the most strikes, is his enormous enthusiasm.

    The focus is on the 'enthusiasm'. Notice the verb 'opvalt' is at the end of the first clause.

  2. Wat we nu echt moeten doen, is de kosten verlagen.

    What we really must do now, is lower the costs.

    Word by Word: What we now really must do, is the costs lower.

    This uses a modal verb 'moeten'. The focus is the action of lowering costs.

  3. Wat hij gisteren kocht, waren drie dure horloges.

    What he bought yesterday, were three expensive watches.

    Word by Word: What he yesterday bought, were three expensive watches.

    Because 'drie dure horloges' is plural, the verb 'zijn' changes to the plural past tense 'waren'.

  4. Wat ik niet begrijp, is waarom ze niet belde.

    What I don't understand, is why she didn't call.

    Word by Word: What I not understand, is why she not called.

    The focus here is an entire indirect question clause.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'dat' instead of 'wat' to start the sentence.

    Dat ik wil, is een biertje.
    Wat ik wil, is een biertje.

    In Dutch, you cannot start a free relative clause with 'dat' unless it follows a specific noun. Use 'wat' for 'that which' or 'what'.

  • Using main clause word order in the 'wat'-clause.

    Wat is belangrijk, is geduld.
    Wat belangrijk is, is geduld.

    The 'wat'-clause is a subordinate clause, so the verb 'is' must move to the end of that specific clause.

  • Using the singular 'is' when the focus constituent is plural.

    Different MeaningWat ik nodig heb, is nieuwe schoenen.
    Wat ik nodig heb, zijn nieuwe schoenen.

    The linking verb usually agrees with the focus constituent. If the noun after it is plural, 'zijn' (or 'waren') is the careful choice. 'Is' is also heard in speech.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

wat...isLevel 5Pseudo-cleft

Learn This First

To learn the pseudo-cleft 'wat...is', you first need to understand how 'wat' functions as a relative pronoun. Since the 'wat'-clause acts as a subordinate clause, you must be familiar with placing the verb at the end of that clause. Finally, you need to know how to use the linking verb 'zijn' to connect this clause to the rest of the sentence.

Words in This Pattern