The thing, the one/only/first thing, something
The thing
我們可以用 the thing (+ 形容詞子句) 當主詞，後接 BE 動詞 (is 或 was) 來強調 BE 動詞後面的元素 (即主詞補語)。這與 Wh-分裂句的作用一樣，但比較不是那麼正式。例如：
- The thing I love about John is his loyalty to his wife. (我喜歡約翰的一點是，他對他太太的忠誠)
= What I love about John is his loyalty to his wife.
即使被強調的元素為複數，BE 動詞亦用單數，因為 the thing 是單數名詞。例如：
- The thing I like most about Penghu is the historic sites. (我最喜歡澎湖的地方是歷史古蹟)
= What I like most about Penghu is the historic sites.
BE 動詞後面要強調的元素也可以是連接詞 that 所引導的名詞子句。在非正式情況中，有人會將 that 省略，但筆者期期以為不可，因為這是錯誤的文法。例如：
- The thing you need to remember is that you’ve lent James 50,000 dollars. (你必須記住的是，你已借給詹姆斯五萬元) (正)
= What you need to remember is that you’ve lent James 50,000 dollars. (正) - The thing you need to remember is you’ve lent James 50,000 dollars. (誤)