English grammar
What happened was that… / the thing is…
Explain what really happened, step by step.
From the scene What happened was that…
In short
Explain what really happened with What happened was (that)… For the situation now, say The thing is…
Your turn
Which one goes with the same pattern, for people?
Options: what happened was that they fell into the batter · the thing is, we have to cut it now · the one who had them was me
Show answer
the same pattern, for people → the one who had them was me
How it works
To explain what really happened, lead with What happened was (that) + the event: what happened was that they fell into the batter.
Good to know
For the situation right now, say the thing is (that) + explanation: the thing is, we have to cut it now!
Good to know
For people, the same pattern works with the one who: the one who had them was me.
explaining what really happened what happened was that they fell into the batter
Nuria
That’s it! What happened was that they fell into the batter.
¡Ya está! Lo que pasó fue que se te cayeron en la masa.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
That’s it! (blank).
Options: The one who had them was me · The thing is, we have to cut it now · What happened was that they fell into the batter
Show answer
Nuria
That’s it! What happened was that they fell into the batter.
¡Ya está! Lo que pasó fue que se te cayeron en la masa.
the same pattern, for people the one who had them was me
Javi
Yes... the one who had them was me, of course.
Sí... el que los tenía era yo, claro.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Yes... (blank), of course.
Options: what happened was that they fell into the batter · we have to cut it now · the one who had them was me
Show answer
Javi
Yes... the one who had them was me, of course.
Sí... el que los tenía era yo, claro.
the situation right now the thing is, we have to cut it now
Javi
Yes... The thing is, we have to cut it now!
Sí... Lo que pasa es que ¡hay que cortarla ya!
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Yes... (blank)!
Options: The thing is, we have to cut it now · What happened was that they fell into the batter · The one who had them was me
Show answer
Javi
Yes... The thing is, we have to cut it now!
Sí... Lo que pasa es que ¡hay que cortarla ya!
reporting what someone else said she says what happened was that I leaned over the bowl
Javi
She says what happened was that I leaned over the bowl.
Dice que lo que pasó fue que me incliné sobre el cuenco.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank).
Options: The one who had them was me · She says what happened was that I leaned over the bowl · What happened was that they fell into the batter
Show answer
Javi
She says what happened was that I leaned over the bowl.
Dice que lo que pasó fue que me incliné sobre el cuenco.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| explaining what really happened | what happened was that they fell into the batter |
|---|---|
| the same pattern, for people | the one who had them was me |
| the situation right now | the thing is, we have to cut it now |
| reporting what someone else said | she says what happened was that I leaned over the bowl |
More lines from the story
- NuriaSo what happened was that Marisa baked the rings inside the cake.Entonces lo que pasó fue que Marisa horneó los anillos dentro de la tarta.
- NuriaJavi, look at this bowl. There’s still batter in it.Javi, mira este cuenco. Todavía tiene masa.