Advanced structures · Advanced (C1–C2)
Cleft sentences
Focus on key information: It was Maria who called. What I need is a holiday.
The rules
It-clefts: It + be + focus + who/that…: It was the manager who* made the decision* (not someone else). It’s the noise that bothers me.
Wh-clefts: What + clause + be + focus: What I love about London is the parks. What we need is more time. Also All I want is…, The thing that… is…, The reason why… is that….
Clefts are useful in speaking and writing to correct, contrast or emphasise: I didn’t break it — it was the cat that* knocked it over.*
Examples
- It was in 2015 that I first visited Morocco.
- What surprised me was how friendly everyone was.
- All I did was ask a question!
- The reason why I called is that I need your help.
Common mistakes
✗ What I need it is a rest.
✓ What I need is a rest.
No extra it.
✗ It was John which called.
✓ It was John who called.
who/that for people.
Practice
___ was my sister who told me.
Quiz
1.Which is a cleft sentence?
2.Complete the sentence.
3.Cleft sentences are used for emphasis.
4.It was ___ 1990 that they met.