Cleft sentences

What they did was (to) engage two au pairs to look after the children

What the children didn't inherit was the house. / What the children inherited was everything except the house.

It was the managing director that / who informed the staff of the news.

It was Dickens that / who used to live around the corner.

All that our mechanics need is five minutes to change the tyres.

It is because he doesn’t work hard enough that he won’t pass his exams.

What Alper does in his room is (to) watch TV instead of studying.

What the company has done is imposed a ban on private emails.

It was after Richard left that things got much better.

It is only by practicing that you learn a foreign language.

All that the customers wanted was to get their money back.

It was when the police arrived that the trouble started.

What I need is a cup of coffee.

It isn't his dedication that political analysts question.

What these criminals are is totally ruthless.

It is the cigarette smoke that is irritating my eyes.

What we did was (to) switch off the power supply before leaving. / What we did before leaving was (to) switch off the power supply.

It was the next-door neighbour that / who complained to the police

What the union representative did was (to) call the strike.

What the firefighter did was (to) save many lives from the fire yesterday.