HSK 1 · VERSION 2.0#51
The “shì...de” Construction for Emphasizing Details
是……的
How it works
是……的 highlights a known or assumed event by focusing on a detail such as time, place, manner, or the person involved. It is common with past events, but its main function is focus rather than completion.
The pattern
Subject + 是 + Emphasized Detail + Verb + 的
Example sentences
我是昨天来的。
I came yesterday.
他是在北京学汉语的。
He learned Chinese in Beijing.
我们是坐飞机去的。
We went by plane.
Usage note
This pattern is not used to simply say an action happened. It is used to highlight a detail.