What is a Cleft Sentence?
A cleft sentence is a type of complex sentence that splits a simple sentence into two clauses. This is done to emphasize a specific part of the sentence, such as the subject, object, or adverbial phrase.
Key Concepts
There are two main types of cleft sentences:
- It-clefts: These begin with ‘It is’ or ‘It was’ followed by the emphasized element and a relative clause.
- Wh-clefts: These begin with a wh-word (like ‘what’, ‘where’, ‘when’) followed by the emphasized element and a clause.
Deep Dive: It-Clefts
The structure of an it-cleft is:
It is/was + [Emphasized Element] + that/who + [Remaining Clause]
Example: It was John who broke the window. (Emphasizes ‘John’)
Deep Dive: Wh-Clefts
The structure of a wh-cleft is:
[Wh-word] + [Clause] + is/was + [Emphasized Element]
Example: What I need is a cup of coffee. (Emphasizes ‘a cup of coffee’)
Applications
Cleft sentences are used for:
- Rhetorical emphasis: To draw attention to a specific piece of information.
- Clarification: To remove ambiguity or provide specific details.
- Contrast: To highlight a difference between elements.
Challenges & Misconceptions
A common challenge is differentiating between it-clefts and real cleft sentences. Also, overusing them can make writing sound unnatural or overly formal.
FAQs
Are cleft sentences grammatically correct?
Yes, cleft sentences are grammatically correct and a standard feature of English.
Can any part of a sentence be emphasized?
Generally, subjects, objects, and adverbials can be emphasized. Verbs are more difficult to emphasize using this structure.