Cleft Sentences: Structure, Types, and Usage

Understanding Cleft Sentences

Cleft sentences are a grammatical structure used to emphasize a particular part of a sentence. They create a specific focus that might not be achieved with a simple sentence structure.

Types of Cleft Sentences

There are two main types of cleft sentences:

• It-clefts: These start with ‘it’ followed by a form of the verb ‘to be,’ the emphasized element, and a relative clause (usually starting with ‘that’ or ‘who’).
• Wh-clefts: These begin with a wh-word (like ‘what,’ ‘where,’ ‘when’) followed by a form of ‘to be,’ the emphasized element, and a clause.

Key Concepts

The primary function of cleft sentences is focus. By using this structure, the speaker or writer directs the listener’s or reader’s attention to a specific piece of information.

Deep Dive: It-Clefts

An it-cleft sentence has the form:

It + be + emphasized element + relative clause

Example:

Original: John broke the window.

It-cleft: It was John who broke the window.

This emphasizes ‘John’ as the person who performed the action.

Deep Dive: Wh-Clefts

A wh-cleft sentence has the form:

Wh-word + be + emphasized element + clause

Example:

Original: I want a cup of coffee.

Wh-cleft: What I want is a cup of coffee.

This emphasizes ‘a cup of coffee’ as the desired item.

Applications and Usage

Cleft sentences are useful for:

• Clarifying information in response to a question.
• Adding emphasis in writing or speech.
• Creating contrast.

Challenges and Misconceptions

A common misconception is that cleft sentences are overly complex or informal. However, they are a standard grammatical tool used in both spoken and written English for specific rhetorical effects.

FAQs

Q: Are cleft sentences grammatically correct?

A: Yes, they are grammatically correct and serve an important function in emphasizing information.

Q: When should I use a cleft sentence?

A: Use them when you want to strongly emphasize a particular piece of information within a sentence.