Cleft sentences
It was John who…, What I need is…, adding emphasis.
The rules
- It-cleft: "It was X who/that…" spotlights X.
- Wh-cleft: "What I need is…" emphasises the need.
- The clefted element carries the emphasis: "It was ON MONDAY that…".
- It-cleft for people: "It was Anna who…".
- "The reason why … was …", emphasising a cause.
- "What + subject + did was + verb" spotlights the action itself.
Examples
- It was the manager who made the final decision.
- What I really need is a long holiday.
- It was on Monday that we met.
- It was Anna who called.
- The reason why I left early was the awful music.
- What she did was resign.
Quick check
Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1._____ was the manager who made the final decision.
2._____ I really need is a long holiday.
3.Which sentence emphasises the TIME?
4.The _____ why I left early was the awful music.
5.Which rewrite emphasises the ACTION "resigning"?