Pseudo-cleft sentences

Pseudo-cleft sentences are similar in function to cleft sentences,

but they are formed with the pronoun what ( = the thing(s)
that/which) or all ( = the only thing(s) that/which) and have a
clause that substitutes a noun phrase and acts as the subject of
the whole sentence.
What I have always wanted is peace, love, freedom and
happiness.
What I dont like about him is his hairstyle.
"All you need is love."
In the following sentences the verb phrases are emphasised by
"cleaving". In this case the verb after be will take the form that
corresponds to the form used in the what-clause:
What you should do is write a letter to the manager.
What I want to do is sleep.
What they were doing was bathing in a tub.
What I can do for you is call for a taxi.
I dont know why the baby is crying. All I did was smile at her.
In these examples the verb after be will take the form that the
verb in the what-clause is normally followed by:
What I want is to sleep.
What he hates is getting up early.
This is how you "cleave" a verb which is in the past simple and
present perfect:
What I did in the end was go home.
What I have done is write a letter to the editor.
Grammar quotes
William Barret
It is the familiar that usually eludes us in life. What is before our
nose is what we see last.