Cleft sentences for focus & emphasis
B2 · information structure
it-clefts · wh-clefts · reason/time/place
1) What are cleft sentences?
Clefts split a simple message into two clauses so we can highlight one part. They are common in writing (no intonation) and in speech for contrast.
- Plain: Lisa missed the flight by five minutes.
- Focused person (it-cleft): It was Lisa who missed the flight by five minutes.
- Focused time (it-cleft): It was by five minutes that she missed it.
2) It-clefts: the most flexible pattern
It + be (+ tense) + focus + that/who/where/when/why + clause
- Person It was the technician who solved the issue.
- Thing It is reliability that customers value most.
- Place It was under the stairs that we found the keys.
- Time It was on Monday that they signed.
- Reason It’s because of the weather that the match was postponed.
Use any form of be to fit the timeline: It will be… / It has been…
3) Form & relative word choices
- who / which / that After a noun phrase, use who/which or that: It was the book that/which won.
- adverbials After adverbial phrases (place/time), prefer that: It was under the table that she hid.
- when/why Use when or why only after a head noun: It was the day when… / the reason why… Otherwise, use that: It was on Monday that…
- negation Put not inside the focus for contrast: It was not the price that worried us; it was the delay.
4) Wh-clefts (pseudo-clefts): focusing with a what-clause
What + clause + be (+ tense) + focus
- What I need is a short break.
- What surprised us was how quickly they agreed.
- All adds stronger exclusivity: All I want is some sleep.
Register: wh-clefts sound more explanatory; it-clefts sound more contrastive.
5) Focusing the action
What + subject + do/does/did + be + (to)-infinitive
- What we did was (to) move the deadline.
- What you should do is (to) back up the files.
- All he did was (to) shrug.
The infinitive can appear with or without to after be in this pattern.
6) Focusing a whole sentence
- Event What happened was (that) the server crashed.
- Fact The fact is (that) we’re over budget.
- Reason again The reason (why) we’re late is the traffic.
that is optional in these patterns; keep it for formal writing or to avoid ambiguity.
7) Quick reference
| Focus type | Core pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Person/thing | It + be + focus + who/that + clause | It was Jamal who called first. |
| Place/time | It + be + focus + that + clause | It was at dawn that they set off. |
| Action | What + S + do/does/did + be + (to)-inf | What she did was (to) apologise. |
| Whole clause | What happens/happened is/was (that) … | What happened was (that) the files were deleted. |
| Exclusive | All + clause + be + focus | All we need is one volunteer. |
8) Style & usage tips
- Any tense The verb be in the cleft matches your timeline: It has been… / It would be…
- Don’t overuse One or two clefts create emphasis; many in a row sound heavy.
- Prepositions Both are fine: It was in this drawer that… / It was this drawer that…
- Avoid ambiguity Keep the focused item immediately after be for clarity.
Exercises:
Cleft sentences for focus and emphasis
Choose the correct option to complete the sentences below.
1
broke the window.
2
I left on the bus.
3
we launched the app.
4
It wasn’t until I checked the logs
I noticed the error.
5
is a quiet weekend.
6
A reliable laptop
I’m looking for.
7
What she did
for the delay.
8
is a small village in the mountains.
9
It was only after the meeting
we understood the risk.
10
It was
that I sent the invitation.
Cleft sentences for focus and emphasis
Choose the correct option for the sentences below.
1
Who called you last night?
A.
B.
C.
D.
2
Express this idea with focus: “I need a good night’s sleep.”
A.
B.
C.
D.
3
Focus the annoyance: “People talking during movies annoy me most.”
A.
B.
C.
D.
4
Rewrite with focus on the time: “We didn’t meet until 2010.”
A.
B.
C.
D.
5
Highlight the place: “I grew up in a small village in Wales.”
A.
B.
C.
D.
6
Emphasize the person you complained to: “We complained to the manager.”
A.
B.
C.
D.
7
Focus the desire: “I only want to finish this report.”
A.
B.
C.
D.
8
Explain the cause with focus: “I left because I was sick.”
A.
B.
C.
D.
9
Report the event with focus: “The server crashed.”
A.
B.
C.
D.
10
Contrast the doer: “Peter broke the window, not John.”
A.
B.
C.
D.
Cleft sentences for focus and emphasis
Fill in each gap with a suitable word.
1
was Maria who solved the puzzle in the end.
2
It was the latest software update caused the crash.
3
It was my uncle taught me to swim.
4
we need right now is a bit of patience.
5
The reason he left early was a family emergency.
6
It was in 2010 the bridge was finally completed.
7
It was at the back row I first saw her.
8
It was only then I understood the point.
9
really matters is how we respond.
10
All I want is a quiet weekend with no emails.