value
to consider something important
What I value is honest feedback.
Lesson 13 of 13 · Intermediate · B1
Needs, preferences, and priorities
Put the main point of your answer in focus using a What clause.
1. Grammar: What clauses: What I need is…
A clause beginning with what can mean the thing that: What I need is rest. Use statement word order inside the clause: what I need, not what do I need. Use this structure to highlight a need, preference, or concern. The focused part can be a noun or an -ing phrase. Compare the question What do you need? with the statement What I need is more time.
- What I need is + noun phrase. → What I need is a clear plan.
- What I enjoy is + verb-ing. → What I enjoy is learning with a partner.
- What matters to me is + noun phrase. → What matters to me is reliability.
- What I find difficult is + verb-ing. → What I find difficult is speaking without preparation.
Model conversation
A: What matters most to you when you choose a course?
B: What matters to me is useful practice.
A: What kind of practice do you need?
B: What I need is regular conversation with feedback.
2. Useful words and verbs
Read each meaning and example. Make your own sentence, then try to use the word during the conversation.
prefer
to like one option more than another
What I prefer is a small class.
matter
to be important
What matters to me is making progress.
focus on
to give most attention to something
What I focus on is clear communication.
feedback
information about how to improve your work
What I need is practical feedback.
progress
movement toward a goal or improvement
What I want to see is steady progress.
balance
a suitable amount of different things
What I need is a better balance between work and rest.
reliability
the quality of being dependable
What I value in a service is reliability.
3. Conversation: 15 questions
Use complete sentences and add a reason or example when it fits. Open an answer starter if you need help. You may use imagined details.
What do you need most from an English lesson?
Answer starter
What I need is …
What do you enjoy about learning with other people?
Answer starter
What I enjoy is …
What matters most when you choose a job or course?
Answer starter
What matters to me is …
What do you find difficult about speaking English?
Answer starter
What I find difficult is …
What kind of feedback helps you improve?
Answer starter
What helps me improve is …
What do you value in a colleague or classmate?
Answer starter
What I value is …
What do you prefer when you shop: low prices or reliable quality?
Answer starter
What I prefer is … because …
What matters most when you choose accommodation?
Answer starter
What matters most to me is …
What do you need to improve your daily routine?
Answer starter
What I need is …
What do you enjoy doing after a busy day?
Answer starter
What I enjoy is …
What do you want to change about your work-life balance?
Answer starter
What I want to change is …
What helps you notice your progress?
Answer starter
What helps me notice my progress is …
What do you focus on when you plan a trip?
Answer starter
What I focus on is …
What have you found most useful in these lessons?
Answer starter
What I have found most useful is …
What are your main need, preference, and priority for the next month?
Answer starter
What I need is … What I prefer is … What matters most is …
4. Extend your answer
Choose three questions and answer again without the starters. Use at least three words from the word bank. Add a reason with “because,” an example with “for example,” or a contrast with “but.” Ask your partner one follow-up question.