grammar · academic

the very + N + that + S + V

Band 7+task2speaking

An emphatic noun phrase used to stress the exact thing being referred to; followed by a defining relative clause.

Examples

“the very problem that prevented the students from graduating”

“the very moment that the decision was announced”

“the very evidence that the prosecution relied on”

Band 8 sentence

“The report pinpointed the very policy that had exacerbated regional disparities, so policymakers could address it directly.”

Collocations

  • the very reason that + clause
  • the very issue that + clause

Common mistakes

the very issue, that caused the delay→the very issue that caused the delay

the very issue who caused the delay→the very issue that caused the delay

Say it for a higher band

5the thing that + clause→6the exact thing that + clause→7+the very + N + that + S + V

Synonyms

the exact + N + that + clause

Easily confused

the very thing that

“This is the very thing that convinced me to change jobs.”

Related words

defining vs non-defining relative clauses (use of commas and that/which/who), who + Vthe + superlative + N + (that) + S + Veach of whom + V, which is why + S + VIndefinite pronouns + who/that + V (someone/anyone/anything + who/that)the majority of + N + who + Vthose who + V

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In Relative clauses

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