What/Where/When… is/was it that …?

vs.…what/where/where… it is/was t

hat…

I believe every one of you is familiar with questions below:

a) What did you tell him about me? b) Where will they go on a honeymoon? c) Why were you absent yesterday?But, do you know there is another way to ask the

questions above? Well, read on to find out how to ask them accordingly.

a) What was it that you told him about me? b) Where is it that they will go on a honeymoon? c) Why was it that you were absent yesterday?

What if each of those questions becomes an object of a bigger sentence? Look at the following sentences.

a) I want to know what you told him about me.

b) Do you know where they will go on a honeymoon?

c) Tell me why you were absent yesterday.

Remember? In a noun clause, its subject always comes before any form of verb.

Now, look at another way to write the previous sentences using “it is/was.”

a) I want to know what it was that you told him about me.

b) Do you know where it is that they will go on a honeymoon?

c) Tell me why it was that you were absent yesterday.

Again, in a noun clause (those underlined parts), the subject always comes before any form of verb.

Now, I’d like you to put your wisdom to work. Please rewrite the following sentences using “is/was it” or “it is/was.”

1. When did you finish your homework?

2. What happened to your legs?

3. I have no idea how this machine works.

4. How is the game played?

5. Do you understand what he is talking about?