A fact tells the story; a comment reflects on it
In a story, a fact answers the question “What happened?”, while a comment answers “What do I think or feel about it now?”. A comment can name a reaction, evaluate part of an experience, or show why an event was important.
A comment is based on a clear event. You can give the fact first and then add an evaluation: this way, the listener knows exactly what the reaction refers to.
This is not the same as the order of events. First, then, and finally move the story forward; What surprised me most was... or Looking back,... pause the story so that we can reflect on it.
We missed the last bus. Looking back, I can see how that mistake led to the best conversation of the trip.
We missed the last bus. Looking back, I can see how that mistake led to the best conversation of the trip.
The first sentence gives the fact, and the second explains its significance from a later point of view.
Everyone offered to help. What surprised me most was how quickly they organised everything.
Everyone offered to help. What surprised me most was how quickly they organised everything.
The comment selects one unexpected aspect of an event that has already been mentioned.
The What ... was ... frame brings the reaction into focus
The frame What + clause + was + focus divides the message into two parts. In the what-clause, we name the type of reaction: What surprised me most, What impressed me most, What disappointed me. After was, we report what caused the reaction.
After was, there may be a noun phrase, a that-clause, or a how-clause: was the welcome, was that nobody complained, was how calm everyone remained. This lesson deals with a completed past event, so we use was in the patterns.
That surprised me. is a correct simple sentence. But That surprised me was... cannot replace this what-frame: a complete subject clause, What surprised me..., is needed before was.
What + reaction verb + me (+ most) + was + noun phrase / that-clause / how-clause
- verb / V —
- A word for an action or state, such as work or be. The pattern determines its form.
- NP / noun phrase —
- A noun phrase: a noun with its dependent words, such as the new student; the pattern treats it as one group of words.
- noun —
- A word naming a person, thing or idea: student, book, happiness.
- clause —
- A construction with a verb, often with its own subject: when I arrived. A non-finite clause may leave the subject unspoken: to get home.
What impressed me most was the team's patience.
What impressed me most was the team's patience.
The noun phrase the team's patience comes after was.
What surprised me was that nobody wanted to leave.
What surprised me was that nobody wanted to leave.
The that-clause names the fact that caused the surprise.
What I enjoyed most was how relaxed the event felt.
What I enjoyed most was how relaxed the event felt.
The how-clause conveys the character of the experience, and the whole frame highlights it as the main positive aspect.
The best/worst part was ... selects the main aspect
When an experience has many parts, the frame The best part was... highlights the strongest positive aspect, while The worst part was... highlights the biggest problem. After part, we often add of + an event or place: the best part of the workshop.
After was, we name a specific part: a noun, an -ing activity, a when-clause, or a that-clause. The choice must correspond to a real aspect of the experience, rather than simply repeat the whole story.
The similar frame What mattered most was... talks not about enjoyment, but about importance or a consequence.
The best/worst/most memorable part (of + experience) + was + focused detail
The best part of the course was working with people from different countries.
The best part of the course was working with people from different countries.
The form working names the activity that the speaker evaluates most highly.
The worst part was that we had no time to say goodbye.
The worst part was that we had no time to say goodbye.
The that-clause gives the complete fact that is evaluated negatively.
What mattered most was that everyone got home safely.
What mattered most was that everyone got home safely.
Mattered most highlights the significance of the result, not its place in the chronology.
Personal reaction: impressed, surprised, disappointed
You can comment directly in the first person: I was particularly impressed by..., I was surprised by..., I was disappointed that.... The adverb particularly strengthens one specific aspect; it does not replace an explanation.
After impressed, by and with are both natural. By often introduces an action or the reason for the impression; with often introduces a person, thing, or result. In many contexts, both options are possible, so we do not declare one of them to be the only choice.
It is useful to connect the reaction with its cause: I was impressed by how calmly the guide handled the problem. This makes the comment meaningful rather than just an emotional label.
I was particularly impressed by how the volunteers welcomed every visitor.
I was particularly impressed by how the volunteers welcomed every visitor.
By how... introduces the specific behaviour that caused the impression.
I was disappointed that the discussion ended so quickly.
I was disappointed that the discussion ended so quickly.
The that-clause names the reason for the negative reaction.
I found the final activity surprisingly useful.
I found the final activity surprisingly useful.
Find + object + adjective provides another natural way to evaluate part of an experience.
Looking back changes the point of view
Looking back means that the speaker thinks about a past event from a later, often present, point of view. After this introductory phrase, you can name a new understanding, a lesson, regret, or a change in evaluation.
At the beginning of a sentence, Looking back is usually separated by a comma. For B1 learners, the clearest pattern directly names the speaker: Looking back, I realise.... The phrase can also work as the speaker's comment before it or the name of an experience, so such understandable options should not automatically be called ungrammatical.
Looking back does not mean then. It does not report which event happened next; it shows present reflection on the past.
Looking back, + I/we + present reflection or past evaluation
Looking back, I realise that asking for help was the right decision.
Looking back, I realise that asking for help was the right decision.
The present simple realise shows present understanding of a past event.
Looking back, we were lucky to have such patient neighbours.
Looking back, we were lucky to have such patient neighbours.
Were lucky evaluates the situation at that time from a later perspective.
Looking back, I should have listened more carefully.
Looking back, I should have listened more carefully.
A comment can express regret; this is an extension for stronger learners, not a required form for every comment.
From atmosphere and chronology to meaning
A detail such as The room was silent creates atmosphere, while Suddenly the lights went out shows how the scene unfolded. A comment adds another layer: What surprised me was how calm everyone remained. It names the speaker's reaction or evaluation.
A separate Unfortunately can evaluate a situation, but the word alone does not create a developed retrospective comment. In this lesson, we practise frames that clearly name a reaction, an important aspect, or a later realisation.
The best place for a comment depends on the meaning: immediately after the relevant fact or at the end of a short episode as a summary. You do not need to comment on every sentence.
Then the doors opened. What surprised me most was that nobody rushed inside.
Then the doors opened. What surprised me most was that nobody rushed inside.
Then establishes the sequence; the next sentence separately comments on the people's behaviour.
The hall was dark and completely silent. The most memorable part was the first note of the concert.
The hall was dark and completely silent. The most memorable part was the first note of the concert.
The first sentence creates atmosphere, and the second selects and evaluates the main moment.
We solved the problem before lunch. Looking back, we realise the experience taught us to communicate earlier.
We solved the problem before lunch. Looking back, we realise the experience taught us to communicate earlier.
After the result, a broader lesson is given rather than another event.
Transfer it to your own story
For a short spoken comment, one fact and one reaction are enough. For a paragraph, add evidence or a reason, and then give the significance or lesson. Your own facts may be invented.
Choose the frame according to your intention: What surprised me... for something unexpected, The best/worst part... for evaluating a part, I was impressed by... for a direct reaction, Looking back... for later reflection, and What mattered most... for significance.
The examples show a structure, not the only possible vocabulary. Natural synonyms and a different suitable sentence order are acceptable if the event, reaction, and communicative goal are preserved.
I gave my first talk at work last month. What surprised me most was how supportive everyone was. Looking back, I can see that it gave me the confidence to speak again.
I gave my first talk at work last month. What surprised me most was how supportive everyone was. Looking back, I can see that it gave me the confidence to speak again.
The three sentences combine a fact, a reaction, and a consequence without repeating the same frame.
The worst part was the long wait, but the best part was meeting the local team.
The worst part was the long wait, but the best part was meeting the local team.
The two evaluations create a balanced comment on one experience.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:That surprised me most was how calm she stayed.
Correct:What surprised me most was how calm she stayed.
In this focus frame, the subject is the what-clause What surprised me most; that cannot perform this function by itself.
Incorrect:What surprised me most were how calm she stayed.
Correct:What surprised me most was how calm she stayed.
In this pattern, the whole what-clause denotes one fact, so we use was for a past event.
Incorrect:The best part of the trip were the evening walks.
Correct:The best part of the trip was the evening walks.
The grammatical subject part is singular, so was is required, even though several walks are named afterward.
Incorrect:I was particularly impressed from the volunteers' patience.
Correct:I was particularly impressed by the volunteers' patience.
After impressed, the reason for the impression is introduced by by or, in an appropriate context, with; from is not suitable here.
Incorrect:Looking back, I realise the experience taught me asking for help.
Correct:Looking back, I realise the experience taught me to ask for help.
After teach + object, to + base verb is needed to name the acquired action: taught me to ask.
Incorrect:What I enjoyed most it was the final discussion.
Correct:What I enjoyed most was the final discussion.
The what-clause is already the subject; the additional it creates a second subject before was.