🗺️ CLEFT SENTENCES GRAMMAR MAP

IT-CLEFTS (It is/was + EMPHASIZED ITEM + that/who...)

Emphasizes a specific element (subject, object, time, place) by isolating it after "It is/was".

(+) Positive It was JOHN who broke the window • It was IN LONDON that we met

(-) Negative not who broke window

(?) Question Was it Mary who called you?

WH-CLEFTS / PSEUDO-CLEFTS (What... IS/WAS...)

Uses "What..." or "All..." to focus on the verb phrase or clause.

(+) Positive What I need IS a holiday • What he did WAS (to) apologize

(-) Negative All I want is peace

(?) Question Is what you need more time?

1. Form & Structure

Cleft Sentence Types & Emphasis Matrix

It-Cleft Subject Focus: It was Mary who solved the problem. (Focus on Mary).
It-Cleft Object Focus: It was the red shirt that I bought. (Focus on red shirt).
It-Cleft Prepositional Focus: It was on Monday that the package arrived. (Focus on time).
Wh-Cleft / Pseudo-Cleft: What surprised me was his immediate agreement.
All-Cleft (Only Focus): All I asked for was a simple explanation.

Example / Question	Positive / Short Answer	Negative / Short Answer
It-Cleft Subject Focus	It was John who won.	Emphasizes subject "John"
It-Cleft Place Focus	It was in Paris that we met.	Emphasizes location "in Paris"
Wh-Cleft Action Focus	What he did was resign.	Emphasizes verb action

2. Key Rules & Formation

Rule	Base / Standard Form	Applied Form
It-Cleft Tense Matching Rule	Match the tense of "It is/was" with the main event! Past event → "It WAS". Present event → "It IS".	It was John who called (past event)
Connector Choice Rule	Use WHO or THAT for people. Use THAT for objects, time, and prepositional phrases. Avoid using "where" or "when" in standard It-clefts.	It was in London THAT we met (NOT "where we met")
Wh-Cleft Verb Agreement	In Wh-clefts, the BE verb agrees with the emphasized noun that follows it!	What I need IS a holiday vs What I need ARE new shoes

3. Practical Usage & Examples

1. Clearing up misunderstandings and correcting false statements

Directly refute a wrong assumption by emphasizing the correct facts.

No, it was John who broke the glass, not Peter!

2. Creating dramatic focus in essays and persuasive writing

Direct reader attention to the most vital argument or finding.

What the study reveals is a profound systemic change.

3. Expressing personal motivations and single goals

Highlight your exclusive focus using "All... is/was".

All I want is a fair opportunity to prove myself.

4. Signal Words & Usage Context

it is/was... that/whowhat I need iswhat he did wasall I want iscleft sentence

Cleft Pattern Check:

It was + ITEM + that/who...
What + Clause + IS/WAS + ITEM
All + Clause + IS/WAS + ITEM

💡 Common Mistakes & Memory Tips

Mistake 1: Using "where" or "when" instead of "that" in prepositional It-clefts
❌ Incorrect: It was in London where we first met.
✓ Correct: It was in London that we first met.
Note: Standard formal It-clefts use "that" for place/time phrases.
Mistake 2: Mixing past and present tenses in It-clefts
❌ Incorrect: It is John who broke the window yesterday.
✓ Correct: It was John who broke the window yesterday.
Note: Match "It was" with past verb "broke".
Mistake 3: Forgetting "is/was" in Wh-clefts
❌ Incorrect: What I need a long vacation.
✓ Correct: What I need is a long vacation.
Note: Wh-clefts require BE verb after the Wh-clause.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the main stylistic reason for using a Cleft Sentence?

In spoken English, we use vocal stress to emphasize words. In written English, we cannot rely on voice tone, so we use Cleft Sentences to forcefully direct the reader's focus onto a specific piece of information.

Q2: What is a "Pseudo-Cleft" sentence?

A Pseudo-cleft is simply another name for a Wh-cleft sentence ("What I love IS reading"). It uses a Wh-clause as the subject followed by BE.

Q3: Can a bare infinitive follow "what he did was..."?

Yes! Both "What he did was RESIGN" and "What he did was TO RESIGN" are 100% grammatically valid.

1. Form & Structure

Cleft Sentence Types & Emphasis Matrix

It-Cleft Subject Focus: It was Mary who solved the problem. (Focus on Mary).

It-Cleft Object Focus: It was the red shirt that I bought. (Focus on red shirt).

It-Cleft Prepositional Focus: It was on Monday that the package arrived. (Focus on time).

Wh-Cleft / Pseudo-Cleft: What surprised me was his immediate agreement.

All-Cleft (Only Focus): All I asked for was a simple explanation.

Example / Question	Positive / Short Answer	Negative / Short Answer
It-Cleft Subject Focus	It was John who won.	Emphasizes subject "John"
It-Cleft Place Focus	It was in Paris that we met.	Emphasizes location "in Paris"
Wh-Cleft Action Focus	What he did was resign.	Emphasizes verb action

2. Key Rules & Formation

Rule	Base / Standard Form	Applied Form
It-Cleft Tense Matching Rule	Match the tense of "It is/was" with the main event! Past event → "It WAS". Present event → "It IS".	It was John who called (past event)
Connector Choice Rule	Use WHO or THAT for people. Use THAT for objects, time, and prepositional phrases. Avoid using "where" or "when" in standard It-clefts.	It was in London THAT we met (NOT "where we met")
Wh-Cleft Verb Agreement	In Wh-clefts, the BE verb agrees with the emphasized noun that follows it!	What I need IS a holiday vs What I need ARE new shoes

3. Practical Usage & Examples

1. Clearing up misunderstandings and correcting false statements

Directly refute a wrong assumption by emphasizing the correct facts.

No, it was John who broke the glass, not Peter!

2. Creating dramatic focus in essays and persuasive writing

Direct reader attention to the most vital argument or finding.

What the study reveals is a profound systemic change.

3. Expressing personal motivations and single goals

Highlight your exclusive focus using "All... is/was".

All I want is a fair opportunity to prove myself.

💡 Common Mistakes & Memory Tips

Mistake 1: Using "where" or "when" instead of "that" in prepositional It-clefts
❌ Incorrect: It was in London where we first met.
✓ Correct: It was in London that we first met.

Note: Standard formal It-clefts use "that" for place/time phrases.

Mistake 2: Mixing past and present tenses in It-clefts
❌ Incorrect: It is John who broke the window yesterday.
✓ Correct: It was John who broke the window yesterday.

Note: Match "It was" with past verb "broke".

Mistake 3: Forgetting "is/was" in Wh-clefts
❌ Incorrect: What I need a long vacation.
✓ Correct: What I need is a long vacation.

Note: Wh-clefts require BE verb after the Wh-clause.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the main stylistic reason for using a Cleft Sentence?

Q2: What is a "Pseudo-Cleft" sentence?

A Pseudo-cleft is simply another name for a Wh-cleft sentence ("What I love IS reading"). It uses a Wh-clause as the subject followed by BE.

Q3: Can a bare infinitive follow "what he did was..."?

Yes! Both "What he did was RESIGN" and "What he did was TO RESIGN" are 100% grammatically valid.

Cleft Sentences

1. Form & Structure

Cleft Sentence Types & Emphasis Matrix

2. Key Rules & Formation

3. Practical Usage & Examples

1. Clearing up misunderstandings and correcting false statements

2. Creating dramatic focus in essays and persuasive writing

3. Expressing personal motivations and single goals

4. Signal Words & Usage Context

💡 Common Mistakes & Memory Tips

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the main stylistic reason for using a Cleft Sentence?

Q2: What is a "Pseudo-Cleft" sentence?

Q3: Can a bare infinitive follow "what he did was..."?

Cleft Sentences

1. Form & Structure

Cleft Sentence Types & Emphasis Matrix

2. Key Rules & Formation

3. Practical Usage & Examples

1. Clearing up misunderstandings and correcting false statements

2. Creating dramatic focus in essays and persuasive writing

3. Expressing personal motivations and single goals

4. Signal Words & Usage Context

💡 Common Mistakes & Memory Tips

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the main stylistic reason for using a Cleft Sentence?

Q2: What is a "Pseudo-Cleft" sentence?

Q3: Can a bare infinitive follow "what he did was..."?

Other Advanced Grammar lessons

Practice Exercises