In English communication, simply stating an opinion is sometimes not enough. To truly engage your audience and highlight your perspective, you need more powerful linguistic tools. One of the most effective techniques is using cleft sentences for emphasis. Today, we will delve into a very common and useful emphatic structure: "What I like most about... is...". Mastering this structure will not only help you communicate as naturally as a native speaker but is also key to achieving high scores in exams like IELTS.

What is an emphatic structure and why is it important?

Before diving into the specifics of "What I like most about... is...", we need to understand the concept of "cleft sentences" or "emphatic structures." This is a sentence type where a simple sentence is "cleft" or split into two clauses to focus the listener's or reader's attention on a specific piece of information. Instead of saying plainly, "I like its friendly people most about this city," you can restructure it to "What I like most about this city is its friendly people."

Why is this structure so important?

• Creating Focus: It immediately directs the audience's attention to the most crucial information you want to convey. In the example above, "its friendly people" becomes the focal point of the statement.
• Enhancing Expression and Naturalness: Native speakers frequently use emphatic structures in daily conversation to express emotions and opinions more clearly and vividly. Using them will help you sound less robotic and more natural in English.
• Scoring Points in Exams: In speaking and writing tests like IELTS, the ability to use a diverse and accurate range of complex grammatical structures, including emphatic sentences, is a key criterion for a high score (Grammatical Range and Accuracy).

How do you correctly use "What I like most about... is..."?

This is an emphatic structure used to highlight the characteristic or quality you like the most about a person, thing, place, or experience. Mastering the formula will help you apply it accurately and flexibly.

The Basic Formula:

What I like most about + [Noun/Noun Phrase/Gerund] + is + [The emphasized part]

Let's break down the components:

• What I like most about...: This is the subordinate clause that acts as the subject of the entire sentence. It introduces the object you are talking about.
• [Noun/Noun Phrase/Gerund]: This is the object being discussed. For example: the movie, living in the countryside, his personality...
• is: This is the main verb of the sentence. Note that the subject "What..." is always considered singular, so we always use "is" (or "was" in the past tense), never "are".
• [The emphasized part]: This is the core information, the answer to the question "what do you like most?" This part can be a noun, a noun phrase, or a that-clause.

Illustrative Examples:

• Emphasizing a noun: "What I like most about summer is the sunshine."
• Emphasizing a noun phrase: "What I like most about my job is the opportunity to travel."
• Emphasizing a Gerund: "What I like most about weekends is not having to wake up early."
• Emphasizing with a "that" clause: "What I like most about him is that he is always honest."

When should you use the "What I like most about..." structure?

This structure is extremely versatile and can be applied in various contexts, from informal conversation to formal writing.

1. In Daily Conversation

When you want to share an opinion, a preference, or give a compliment, using this structure will make your speech more focused and persuasive.

Example:

Instead of saying: "This coffee shop is nice. I like its quiet atmosphere." Try: "What I like most about this coffee shop is its quiet atmosphere. It's the perfect place to read a book."

2. In Speaking Tests (IELTS Speaking)

In IELTS Speaking, especially in Part 2 (describing a topic) and Part 3 (in-depth discussion), examiners are always looking for a candidate's ability to use a range of grammatical structures. This structure is an excellent tool to have.

Example, for the cue card "Describe a city you would recommend as a nice place to visit":

"I'd like to talk about Da Nang. It's a fantastic city for tourists for many reasons. But what I like most about it is the incredible blend of mountains and sea. You can be hiking in the Marble Mountains in the morning and relaxing on My Khe beach in the afternoon. That contrast is just amazing."

3. In Writing (Essays, Reviews)

When writing an essay, a movie review, or a product review, this structure helps you start a paragraph or make a strong point, drawing the reader's attention to the most important aspect you want to analyze.

Example, in a movie review:

"The film excels in many areas, from cinematography to acting. However, what I like most about this movie is its unpredictable plot. It keeps the audience guessing until the very end, which is a rare quality in modern blockbusters."

What are the common mistakes to avoid when using this structure?

Although this structure is quite straightforward, English learners can still make some mistakes. Here are the most common ones to watch out for:

• Subject-Verb Agreement Error: This is the most common mistake. Many people tend to make the verb 'to be' agree with the noun that comes right before it. Remember, the subject of the sentence is the entire "What..." clause, and it is always singular.
  • INCORRECT: What I like most about my friends are their loyalty.
  • CORRECT: What I like most about my friends is their loyalty.
• Using an Incomplete Structure: Sometimes users forget the verb "is", which makes the sentence meaningless and grammatically incorrect.
  • INCORRECT: What I like most about the book its clever main character.
  • CORRECT: What I like most about the book is its clever main character.
• Overusing the Structure: While it is a great structure, overusing it in a short paragraph or speech can make your language sound monotonous and unnatural. Use it selectively for the best emphatic effect.

How can you practice and master this emphatic structure?

"Practice makes perfect." To make this structure a natural part of your English repertoire, try the following methods:

• Sentence Rewriting Exercises: Start with simple sentences and rewrite them using the "What... is..." structure. For example, change "I love the city's vibrant nightlife" to "What I love most about the city is its vibrant nightlife."
• Themed Speaking Practice: Choose a random topic (favorite movie, favorite book, a memorable vacation...) and try to talk about it for 1-2 minutes, making sure to use this structure at least once. You can record yourself to listen back and correct mistakes.
• Listen and Imitate: Watch movies, listen to podcasts, or watch speeches in English. Pay attention to when native speakers use cleft sentences. Write them down and try to imitate their intonation.
• Journaling: Spend 5-10 minutes each day writing a journal in English. Make it a goal to use this emphatic structure to describe what you liked most about an event or experience during your day.

Conclusion

The "What I like most about... is..." structure is not just a dry grammatical formula but a powerful tool for you to express your personality and opinions with subtlety and effectiveness. By understanding its nature, usage, and practicing regularly, you can elevate your English communication skills, making every sentence you speak and every paragraph you write more impactful and impressive. Start applying it today!

Related Posts:

• How to Use 'Hardly ever' and 'Once in a blue moon' (Part 1)
• Mastering 'Not only... but also' Inversion for IELTS Band 8.0
• A Pro's Guide: Using 'Providing that' as a Sophisticated Alternative to 'If'