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⭐ Advanced Grammar
Cleft Sentences
C1
Advanced Grammar
Cleft Sentences
~2 min read
Updated October 7, 2026
0 practice exercises
English
Tiếng Việt
EN
Cleft Sentences
🗺️ GRAMMAR MAP
Types of Cleft Sentences
Structure
Usage
📖 1. The Core Rules & Patterns
Base
➔
Target
It was
John
who won the award.
💡
Why:
This structure emphasizes the subject, John, making it clear who won the award.
Base
➔
Target
It was
the book
that inspired me.
💡
Why:
This structure emphasizes the object, the book, highlighting its importance in inspiring me.
🎯 2. Real-Life Usage Scenarios
Scenario 1: At School
It was
the teacher
who explained the lesson.
💡
Why:
This highlights the teacher's role in the lesson, emphasizing their contribution.
Scenario 2: At Home
It was
my sister
who baked the cake.
💡
Why:
This emphasizes my sister's effort in baking, making her the focus of the statement.
⚠️ 3. Common Mistakes
❌ Incorrect
It was
John won the award.
It was
the book inspired me.
✅ Correct
It was
John who won the award.
It was
the book that inspired me.
💡
Explanation:
The incorrect forms lack the necessary structure to emphasize the subject or object properly.
❓ 4. Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can I use cleft sentences in informal writing?
A1: Yes, they can be used to emphasize points in both formal and informal contexts.
Q2: Are there different types of cleft sentences?
A2: Yes, there are various types, including it-clefts and wh-clefts.
Other Advanced Grammar lessons
Inversion
Ellipsis
Subjunctive
Nominalisation
Practice Exercises
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