Cleft Sentences in Detail

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#### Objectives

– Understand the structure and purpose of cleft sentences.

– Identify different types of cleft sentences.

– Learn how to construct cleft sentences to emphasize specific parts of a sentence.

– Apply cleft sentences effectively for clarity and emphasis in writing.

#### Topics

1. **Introduction to Cleft Sentences**

2. **Types of Cleft Sentences**

   – It-Cleft Sentences

   – Wh-Cleft Sentences (Pseudo-Cleft Sentences)

   – All-Cleft Sentences

   – What-Cleft Sentences

3. **Examples and Detailed Explanations**

4. **Common Errors and Corrections**

### 1. Introduction to Cleft Sentences

**Definition:**

– A cleft sentence is a complex sentence that has been divided into two clauses to emphasize a specific part of the sentence. The term “cleft” means “divided.”

**Importance:**

– Adds emphasis to a particular element of a sentence by splitting it into two clauses.

– Enhances clarity and style.

– Useful in both spoken and written English for focusing on key information.

### 2. Types of Cleft Sentences

#### A. It-Cleft Sentences

**Structure:**

– **Pattern:** It + be + emphasized element + relative clause

– **Purpose:** To emphasize the subject, object, or adverbial by placing it after “It is/was.”

**Examples:**

– **Subject Emphasis:** It was *John* who solved the problem.

– **Object Emphasis:** It is *a new car* that she bought yesterday.

– **Adverbial Emphasis:** It is *in the park* that he plays every morning.

#### B. Wh-Cleft Sentences (Pseudo-Cleft Sentences)

**Structure:**

– **Pattern:** Wh-word + clause + be + emphasized element

– **Purpose:** To emphasize the complement or the focal point of the sentence using a wh-clause.

**Examples:**

See also  Modals and Semi-modals

– **Subject Emphasis:** What he needs is *a good rest*.

– **Object Emphasis:** What she bought was *a new car*.

– **Action Emphasis:** What he did was *leave the meeting early*.

#### C. All-Cleft Sentences

**Structure:**

– **Pattern:** All + clause + be + emphasized element

– **Purpose:** To emphasize the entirety or completeness of a specific element.

**Examples:**

– **Focus on Action:** All he did was *complain*.

– **Focus on Subject or Object:** All they want is *a fair chance*.

– **Focus on Adverbial:** All you need to do is *to arrive on time*.

#### D. What-Cleft Sentences

**Structure:**

– **Pattern:** What + clause + be + emphasized element

– **Purpose:** Similar to wh-cleft sentences but specifically starts with “What” to emphasize a particular aspect.

**Examples:**

– **Explanation or Definition:** What you need to do is *practice more*.

– **Cause or Reason:** What caused the problem was *a lack of communication*.

– **Outcome or Result:** What happened was *that he missed the bus*.

### 3. Examples and Detailed Explanations

#### A. It-Cleft Sentences

1. **Original:** John solved the problem.

   – **It-Cleft:** It was *John* who solved the problem.

   – **Explanation:** Emphasizes “John” as the person who solved the problem.

2. **Original:** She bought a new car yesterday.

   – **It-Cleft:** It is *a new car* that she bought yesterday.

   – **Explanation:** Emphasizes “a new car” as the object bought.

3. **Original:** He plays in the park every morning.

   – **It-Cleft:** It is *in the park* that he plays every morning.

   – **Explanation:** Emphasizes “in the park” as the location of the action.

See also  Subjunctive Mood

#### B. Wh-Cleft Sentences (Pseudo-Cleft Sentences)

1. **Original:** A good rest is what he needs.

   – **Wh-Cleft:** What he needs is *a good rest*.

   – **Explanation:** Emphasizes “a good rest” as the necessary action.

2. **Original:** She bought a new car.

   – **Wh-Cleft:** What she bought was *a new car*.

   – **Explanation:** Emphasizes “a new car” as the object purchase.

3. **Original:** He left the meeting early.

   – **Wh-Cleft:** What he did was *leave the meeting early*.

   – **Explanation:** Emphasizes the action of leaving early.

#### C. All-Cleft Sentences

1. **Original:** He complained all day.

   – **All-Cleft:** All he did was *complain*.

   – **Explanation:** Emphasizes the action of complaining.

2. **Original:** They want a fair chance.

   – **All-Cleft:** All they want is *a fair chance*.

   – **Explanation:** Emphasizes “a fair chance” as their main desire.

3. **Original:** Arrive on time.

   – **All-Cleft:** All you need to do is *arrive on time*.

   – **Explanation:** Emphasizes “arrive on time” as the necessary action.

#### D. What-Cleft Sentences

1. **Original:** Practice more.

   – **What-Cleft:** What you need to do is *practice more*.

   – **Explanation:** Emphasizes “practice more” as the required action.

2. **Original:** A lack of communication caused the problem.

   – **What-Cleft:** What caused the problem was *a lack of communication*.

   – **Explanation:** Emphasizes “a lack of communication” as the cause of the problem.

3. **Original:** He missed the bus.

   – **What-Cleft:** What happened was *that he missed the bus*.

See also  Using "Who," "Whom," "Which," and "That"

   – **Explanation:** Emphasizes “that he missed the bus” as the event that occurred.

### 4. Common Errors and Corrections

**Common Errors:**

– Incorrect placement of the emphasized element.

– Using improper verb forms.

– Misalignment of subject-verb agreement.

**Error Examples and Corrections:**

1. **Error:** It is the park that he plays every morning.

   – **Correction:** It is *in the park* that he plays every morning.

   – **Explanation:** Corrects the location of emphasis.

2. **Error:** What she needs is practice more.

   – **Correction:** What she needs is *to practice more*.

   – **Explanation:** Corrects the infinitive form of the verb.

3. **Error:** All he do was complain.

   – **Correction:** All he *did* was complain.

   – **Explanation:** Corrects the verb form to match the past tense subject.

4. **Error:** It was John solved the problem.

   – **Correction:** It was *John who* solved the problem.

   – **Explanation:** Adds the necessary relative pronoun to properly form the cleft sentence.

By mastering the use of cleft sentences, you can effectively highlight key elements of your writing, adding emphasis and clarity. This will help engage readers and convey your message more powerfully.

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