Cleft sentence
I have a question concerning the use of tenses in pseudo-cleft sentences in 1 and 2. Are both forms or only the underlined ones correct? If the latter is true, what is the rule?
1) The reason that I came by bus is/was that my car has broken down.
2) What could have broken is/was the clutch cable.
Does this sentence make sense?
3)The playground is where you should play football, not the class
Top answer
anonymous Are both forms or only the underlined ones correct? The reason I came was ... Past tense, past tense.
- anonymous Are both forms or only the underlined ones correct?
- The reason I came was ...
- Past tense, past tense.
- What could have broken was ...
- Past, past.
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anonymousAre both forms or only the underlined ones correct?
The reason I came was .... Past tense, past tense.
What could have broken was .... Past, past.
anonymouswhat is the rule?
Match the tenses.
However, the rule is not a very strict one. You can use 'is'
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