Definition / Explanation
Cleft sentences are used to give special focus to one part of a sentence. They help speakers and writers highlight the most important information, often to correct someone, contrast ideas, or organise information more clearly. The most common patterns are It is/was ... that/who ... and What ... is/was .... The meaning is usually similar to a simpler sentence, but the emphasis changes. Because of this, cleft sentences are more about information focus than about basic grammar meaning.
Key Rules
- Use It is/was + focused part + that/who + clause to highlight one element.
- Use What + clause + is/was + focused part to highlight the result or key idea.
- Use who for people and that for things or general focus.
- Cleft sentences are especially useful for correction and contrast.
- Do not overuse them in simple everyday writing, or the style may sound heavy.
Examples
- It was John who called.
- What I need is time.
- It is the manager that decides.
- What surprised me was her answer.
- It was yesterday that they arrived.
Common Mistakes
- ❌ It was John which called. -> ✅ It was John who called.
- ❌ What I need are time. -> ✅ What I need is time.
- ❌ It John was who called. -> ✅ It was John who called.