Breakdown of Was der Star erwartet, ist völlige Perfektion vor dem Konzert.
sein
to be
was
what
das Konzert
the concert
vor
before (in time)
Questions & Answers about Was der Star erwartet, ist völlige Perfektion vor dem Konzert.
Why are the verbs erwartet and ist right next to each other separated only by a comma?
This is the classic pseudo-cleft structure used for emphasis. The entire first clause (Was der Star erwartet) acts as one big subject occupying position 1. To follow the strict verb-second rule, the main verb (ist) must come immediately after it in position 2.
How does the emphasis change compared to just saying Der Star erwartet völlige Perfektion...?
The Was ... ist ... structure acts like a spotlight. Just like in English, it builds anticipation and places heavy emphasis on the second half of the sentence (völlige Perfektion). It sounds much more dramatic than a standard statement.
Why does the adjective in völlige Perfektion end in -e?
Perfektion is a feminine noun, and it is in the nominative case here because it follows the linking verb sein (ist). Since there is no article in front of it, the adjective takes the strong ending for feminine nominative, which is -e.
Why do we use the dative case for vor dem Konzert?
vor is a two-way preposition. While it can take the accusative when indicating physical movement to a destination, temporal phrases that answer the question 'when?' always take the dative case in German.