Cleft Sentences

What are Cleft Sentences?

Cleft sentences are special grammatical constructions used to emphasize a particular part of a sentence. They "cleave" or divide a simple sentence into two clauses, each with its own verb, to highlight specific information. This technique is particularly useful for drawing attention to new information, creating contrast, or linking back to previously mentioned ideas, making your writing more dynamic and focused.

1. Types of Cleft Sentences

a. It-clefts

This is the most common type of cleft sentence. The structure is: It + be + emphasized element + that/who/which clause. The emphasized element can be the subject, object, or an adverbial phrase.

• Emphasizing the Subject:
  • Simple: John broke the window.
  • Cleft: It was John who broke the window. (Emphasizes 'John')
• Emphasizing the Object:
  • Simple: I saw Mary at the party.
  • Cleft: It was Mary that I saw at the party. (Emphasizes 'Mary')
• Emphasizing an Adverbial Phrase (Time, Place, Manner, Reason):
  • Simple: I met him yesterday.
  • Cleft: It was yesterday that I met him. (Emphasizes 'yesterday')
  • Simple: She left because she was tired.
  • Cleft: It was because she was tired that she left. (Emphasizes the reason)

b. Wh-clefts (Pseudo-clefts)

These sentences use a wh-clause (often starting with what) as the subject, followed by be and the emphasized element. They typically emphasize actions or things. The structure is: Wh-clause + be + emphasized element.

• Simple: I need a new car.
  • Cleft: What I need is a new car. (Emphasizes 'a new car')
• Simple: She wants to travel the world.
  • Cleft: What she wants to do is travel the world. (Emphasizes 'travel the world')
• Simple: He bought a book.
  • Cleft: What he bought was a book.

c. Reverse Wh-clefts

This is the inverse of the Wh-cleft, where the emphasized element comes first. The structure is: Emphasized element + be + Wh-clause.

• Cleft: A new car is what I need.
• Cleft: Travel the world is what she wants to do.

d. All-clefts

Used to emphasize the only thing or everything that is relevant. The structure is: All + (that) + clause + be + emphasized element.

• Simple: I want a quiet life.
  • Cleft: All I want is a quiet life.
• Simple: He did was complain.
  • Cleft: All he did was complain.

e. Other Cleft-like Structures

These structures also serve to emphasize specific parts of a sentence.

• The reason why... is that...
  • The reason why he left is that he was unhappy.
• The place where... is...
  • The place where I grew up is a small village.
• The time when... is...
  • The time when I feel happiest is when I'm reading.
• The person who... is...
  • The person who can help you is Sarah.

2. Why Use Cleft Sentences?

• Emphasis: To highlight specific information, making it stand out.
• Focus: To direct the reader's attention to the most important part of the message.
• Contrast: To draw a distinction between what is being emphasized and other possibilities.
  • It wasn't his intelligence that impressed me, but his kindness.
• Linking to Previous Information: To create a smooth flow in discourse by referring back to something already known before introducing new, emphasized information.
  • A: What happened? B: Well, it was the sudden storm that caused the power outage.

Common Errors and How to Fix Them

Summary

💡 Key takeaway: Cleft sentences are powerful tools for adding emphasis and clarity to your writing. By strategically using these structures, you can guide your reader's attention and convey your message with greater impact and sophistication.