Introduction: What Are Cleft Sentences?
A cleft sentence is a sentence that we use to emphasize one particular part of a sentence. We can use a cleft sentence to show that a person, a thing, a time, a place, or an action is especially important.
In English, we often use two common patterns:
- Cleft sentences with It
- Cleft sentences with What
Let’s learn these two structures step by step with easy examples.
1. Cleft Sentences with “It”
We use It is or It was to emphasize a particular person, thing, time, place, or reason.
Grammar Structure
It + be + the emphasized information + that/who + the rest of the sentence
Use is for the present and was for the past.
Let's use It-Clef to give different emphasises to this sentence.
ROZA lent me this book last week.
- It was ROZA who lent me this book last week. ( Emphasis : ROZA)
- It was this book that ROZA lent me last week. ( Emphasis : this book)
- It was last week that ROZA lent me this book. ( Emphasis : last week)
More Examples
Normal sentence: Mary broke the window.
Cleft sentence: It was Mary who broke the window.
The cleft sentence emphasizes Mary. It tells us that Mary, not another person, broke the window.
More examples:
Normal: Tom ate the cake.Cleft: It was Tom who ate the cake.
Normal: I need a new book.
Cleft: It is a new book that I need.
Normal: We met on Monday.
Cleft: It was on Monday that we met.
Normal: She lives in Phnom Penh.
Cleft: It is in Phnom Penh that she lives.
Normal: He called me yesterday.
Cleft: It was yesterday that he called me.
When Do We Use “Who” and “That”?
Use who when emphasizing a person.
- It was my teacher who helped me.
- It is Dara who speaks English well.
Use that when emphasizing a thing, time, place, or other information.
- It was the red bag that I bought.
- It was yesterday that I saw him.
- It is English that I want to learn.
In everyday English, that can also be used for people in many cleft sentences.
Present and Past Examples
Present:
- It is my brother who cooks dinner.
- It is English that she studies.
- It is at school that we learn together.
Past:
- It was my brother who cooked dinner.
- It was English that she studied.
- It was at school that we met.
2. Cleft Sentences with “What”
We use what to emphasize an action, an idea, or the thing that someone wants, needs, likes, or does.
Grammar Structure
What + subject + verb + be + the emphasized information
The part beginning with “what” often means “the thing that.”
Examples
Normal: I need some rest.
Cleft: What I need is some rest.
Normal: She wants a new phone.
Cleft: What she wants is a new phone.
Normal: He likes playing football.
Cleft: What he likes is playing football.
Normal: They need more time.
Cleft: What they need is more time.
Normal: I enjoy reading books.
Cleft: What I enjoy is reading books.
Normal: My mother cooks delicious food.
Cleft: What my mother does is cook delicious food.
Notice that what I need means “the thing that I need.” The word “what” introduces the information we want to emphasize.
Using “What” with Different Subjects
With I:
- What I want is a glass of water.
- What I like is learning English.
With he or she:
- What he needs is a little help.
- What she enjoys is singing.
With we or they:
- What we need is more practice.
- What they want is a better future.
3. The Difference Between “It” and “What”
Both structures emphasize information, but they have different patterns.
Use “It” to emphasize a particular part of a sentence:
- Normal: I met Lina yesterday.
- It-cleft: It was Lina that I met yesterday.
- It-cleft: It was yesterday that I met Lina.
Use “What” to emphasize a thing, an action, or an idea:
- Normal: I need a pen.
- What-cleft: What I need is a pen.
Remember these simple patterns:
- It was + person/place/time/thing + who/that + clause
- What + subject + verb + is/was + emphasized information
4. Common Mistakes
Avoid these common grammar mistakes when writing cleft sentences.
Mistake 1
Incorrect: It was Mary which helped me.
Correct: It was Mary who helped me.
Use who naturally when emphasizing a person.
Mistake 2
Incorrect: What I need are a pen.
Correct: What I need is a pen.
Use is when the emphasized information is singular.
Mistake 3
Incorrect: What she wants a new bag.
Correct: What she wants is a new bag.
Remember to include is or was after the “what” clause.
Mistake 4
Incorrect: It was yesterday when I met him.
Better for a standard it-cleft: It was yesterday that I met him.
5. Why Are Cleft Sentences Useful?
Cleft sentences help English learners:
Emphasize important information.
Make their speaking clearer.
Write more varied English sentences.
Explain who did something or when something happened.
Express needs, interests, and opinions naturally.
For example, instead of saying “I want more practice,” you can say, “What I want is more practice.”
Both sentences are correct, but the second one places more emphasis on what you want.
6. Practice Exercises
Try to complete the following sentences. Choose the correct answer.
1. _____ was John who opened the door.
A. What
B. It
C. Which
2. What I need _____ more time.
A. are
B. were
C. is
3. It was yesterday _____ I visited my grandmother.
A. that
B. what
C. where
4. What she wants is _____.
A. a new dress
B. wants a new dress
C. she wants
5. It was my teacher _____ helped me.
A. which
B. who
C. what
6. What they need _____ some food.
A. is
B. are
C. be
7. It was in Phnom Penh _____ we met.
A. that
B. what
C. who
8. What I enjoy _____ English.
A. are learning
B. is learning
C. be learning
9. Which sentence is correct?
A. What he needs is a pen.
B. What he needs a pen.
C. What he need is a pen.
10. Which sentence emphasizes the person who called?
A. What called me was Dara.
B. It was Dara who called me.
C. It Dara was called me.
Answer Key
B — It
C — is
A — that
A — a new dress
B — who
A — is
A — that
B — is learning
A — What he needs is a pen.
B — It was Dara who called me.
Conclusion
Cleft sentences with it and what help us emphasize important information in English.
Remember the two basic patterns:
- It + be + emphasized information + who/that + clause
- What + subject + verb + be + emphasized information
Cleft Sentence Quiz
15 Multiple-Choice Questions
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