Cleft sentences are special sentence structures that are used to emphasize a particular part of a sentence. They help highlight or focus on one specific piece of information. There are two common types of cleft sentences:
- Using “It is/was … that …”
- Using “What … is …”
Using “It is/was … that …”
This structure uses the word “it” at the beginning, followed by a form of “be” (is/was), and then the part you want to emphasize. The rest of the sentence follows after “that.”
Examples
| English Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| It was John that called last night. | Emphasizing that John is the one who called. |
| It is the blue jacket that I want to buy. | Emphasizing that the blue jacket is what I want. |
| It was yesterday that we met them. | Emphasizing that yesterday is when we met. |
More Examples with Explanations
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| It is her advice that helped me. | Emphasizing that her advice was helpful. |
| It was Paris that we visited last summer. | Emphasizing that Paris was the place visited. |
| It is in the morning that I usually exercise. | Emphasizing the time I exercise is in the morning. |
Using “What … is …”
This structure starts with “What,” followed by a noun or noun phrase, then “is,” and then the explanation or further information.
Examples
| English Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| What I need is a vacation. | Emphasizing that a vacation is what I need. |
| What she said is interesting. | Emphasizing that what she said is interesting. |
| What counts is effort. | Emphasizing that effort is what matters. |
More Examples with Explanations
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| What matters is honesty. | Emphasizing that honesty is important. |
| What they want is more time. | Emphasizing that more time is desired. |
| What surprises me is his confidence. | Emphasizing that his confidence is surprising. |
In the sentence 'What she said is interesting,' what role does 'What she said' play?
It acts as the subject of the sentence.
'What she said' is a noun clause serving as the subject, and the rest of the sentence explains or describes it.
Summary
- Use “It is/was … that …” to focus on one part of a sentence.
- Use “What … is …” to define or explain something.
- Both forms help make your meaning clear and add emphasis.
Now you can use cleft sentences to make your English more precise and expressive!
Flashcards (1 of 6)
- Explanation: Emphasizing that John is the one who called.
- English Example: It was John that called last night.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
