Cleft sentences (c)
A cleft sentence changes the emphasis in a sentence:
He’d planned to move to Berlin.(What)
- What he had planned was to move to Berlin.
This indicates that a particular action or decision (among other options) had been uppermost – (even if, as here, perhaps, this action did not actually happen in the end).
Miss Young encouraged the younger athletes to compete with the seniors.(Now if we add ‘it’ = )
- It was Miss Young who encouraged the younger athletes to compete with the seniors.
This makes it clear that Miss Young made a particular contribution in this respect. Perhaps she was alone in her encouragement, and others were opposed to the idea….. or maybe she was more determined or enthusiastic than others. Whatever the reason, her effort is singled out for special mention.
The example above shows another way of making a cleft sentence is with it. You may have to choose whether to follow ‘it‘ by ‘who ‘ where‘ ‘which‘ or ‘that‘
Miss Cattley told her mother Bridget should aim for university.(It)
- It was Miss Cattley who told her mother Bridget should aim for university.
Again, Miss Cattley’s contribution is singled out, making a distinction between what others were planning for Bridget, and Miss Cattley’s view of Bridget’s future.
Her attitude towards her friends was really unreasonable. (It)
- It was her attitude towards her friends that (or which) was really unreasonable.
Be careful! Be sure you emphasise the correct clause or sentence!
The fact that they both belonged to the same rock-climbing club in North Yorkshire, helped them to become climbing partners. (What)
- What helped them become climbing partners was the fact that they both belonged to the same rock-climbing club in North Yorkshire. or
- It was the fact that they both belonged to the same rock-climbing club in North Yorkshire that helped them become climbing partners.
Can you create cleft sentences with the examples below?
1 She really misses living in the countryside. (It)
2 His father discouraged him from becoming a full-time musician. (Who)
3 She really misses living in the countryside. (What)
4 Mr Jackson announced the firm’s decision to recruit 1,000 more workers.(Who)
5 Living in Slovakia for a few years really appealed to Philippa. (It)
6 I started to lose hope from that point onwards. (It)
7 His uncle Mike dissuaded him from giving up the day job. (It)