是...的 for Emphasis
是...的 emphasizes the time, place, manner, or purpose of a past action.
Pattern
Subject + 是 + Time/Place/Manner + Verb + 的
Explanation
The 是...的 construction is used to emphasize specific details about a completed action, such as when, where, how, or why it happened. The action itself is already known or assumed.
是 is placed before the emphasized element, and 的 comes at the end of the sentence or before the object. 是 can sometimes be omitted, but 的 cannot.
Examples
我是去年来中国的。
Wǒ shì qùnián lái Zhōngguó de.
I came to China last year (emphasizing when).
你是怎么来的？
Nǐ shì zěnme lái de?
How did you get here? (emphasizing manner)
这本书是在网上买的。
Zhè běn shū shì zài wǎng shàng mǎi de.
This book was bought online (emphasizing where).
Common Mistakes
我是来中国去年的。
我是去年来中国的。
是 must be placed directly before the emphasized element (去年).
Related Grammar
Practice this grammar with AI
Use this grammar pattern in a real conversation with our AI tutor.
Start Practicing