Cleft Sentences
Cleft sentences are complex sentences that have a meaning we can express by a simple sentence. They are used to emphasize one part of a clause. Let's see.
What Are Cleft Sentences?
A cleft sentence is a complex sentence that can be explained in a simple sentence. By using cleft sentences, we put emphasis on an element by rearranging the normal word order of the sentence with the help of a dummy word such as 'it' or 'that'. In every language, there are various ways to put emphasis or focus on different parts of a sentence.
Why Do We Use Cleft Sentences?
Cleft sentences are used especially in spoken English to join the part of a meaning that is understood to the part of the meaning that is new to the listener. Using a cleft sentence is one way to add emphasis to what we want to say. Here are some examples:
I called you Monday. →
I want a cup of coffee right now. →
Types of Cleft Sentences
There are different types of cleft sentences in the English language. Here are some of the most common ones:
- It-cleft
- Wh-cleft (Pseudo-cleft)
- All-cleft
- There-cleft
- If-because cleft
It-cleft Sentences
The most common type of cleft sentence is it-cleft sentence. The information that comes in the 'it-clause' is the focus of our sentence. The clause that follows the it-clause contains information that is already understood. An it-cleft sentence is followed by a verb phrase whose main verb is generally be. For example:
Jane's car got stolen last night. →
As you can see, a single message is divided into two. The it-cleft sentence is used to show emphasis.
My boss sent me home today. →
Tom saw me yesterday. →
'That' in It-cleft
Generally, 'that' is a complementizer that connects the clause which follows the it-clause. When 'that' is the object of the verb, we often omit that in spoken English. For example:
I met your friend Suzy. →
Here, 'that' is the object of the verb 'met', so we can either use it or remove it from the sentence.
You saw my mum yesterday. →
'Who' Instead of 'That'
When the focus of our sentence is a personal subject, instead of 'that,' we can use 'who.' When 'who' is the object of the verb, we often omit that in spoken English. For instance:
My father sent me back to Canada. →
Here, we can not omit 'that' or 'who' because they function as the 'subject' of the second clause.
You spoke to my father on the phone. →
As you can see, when 'who' is the object, we are able to omit it in spoken English.
Plural Subject in It-cleft
When the focus of our sentence is a plural subject, 'it + be' remains the same, only the verb becomes plural. Take a look at these examples:
The boys won the cup. →
Here, the speaker wants to say that 'the boys' not the girls or some other group, won the cup.
The grandparents were cheering the most. →
Here, it is noticing that it was 'the grandparents' who were cheering, not anybody else.
Question Structure
The it-cleft sentences can also take a question form in informal speech and writing. Take a look at some examples down below:
Did the girls screamed last night? →
Did Tom open the box? →
Negative Structure
The 'it-clause' can also get a negative form. Remember that when turning the it-clause into negative, the second sentence must be positive. Here are some examples:
My dad's car got stolen; not mine →
You have met my friend; not my brother. →
Tip!
We can use other pronouns instead of 'it', like 'that' or 'those'. Take a look at these examples to find out more:
You broke my glass →
You borrowed my books →
Inferential Cleft Sentences
Inferential Cleft Sentence is a type of 'it-cleft sentence' that tells us about what others may wrongly assume. Such sentences begin with it which is followed by the verb be. The structure is usually two consecutive it-that sentences. The first one is negative but the second clause is positive and makes clarification. An inferential cleft sentence may contain an adverb such as only or just. Here are some examples:
I don't lover her. I just show my love in a different way. →
I'm not trying to help you. I only want you to learn. →
Wh-cleft Sentences
Generally, wh-cleft sentences (also called pseudo-cleft) begin with 'What. Usually, the wh-clause has understood information, while the following clause's information is new. Remember that, unlike it-cleft, new information does not come right after the wh-word since It is followed by the verb be. For example:
-'I have no idea what you want.' -'
As you can see, the information that comes after
You need to rest for a while. →
John wants a good job. →
Warning
Instead of using 'what', we can also use other wh-words such as why, where, how and etc. However, when you use why, whom, or how, your sentence may sound a little bit weird. Do not forget that the only wh-word that can not be used is 'whose'. Here are some examples:
I want to go to a place so far away from here. →
She paid for her food with her credit card. →
He has an annual pass for the museum. →
Reversed Wh-cleft Sentences
Reversed wh-cleft sentence (also called Inverted pseudo-cleft) is a type of wh-cleft sentences. In reversed wh-cleft sentence, the nominal relative clause comes at the end of the sentence.
I want some peace and quiet. → some peace and quiet
I want to go to a place so far away from here. → a place so far away from here
The lion chased the giraffe. → chasing the giraffe
an example of an all-cleft sentence
All-cleft Sentences
All-cleft sentences emphasize the object of the verb. As usual, they are followed by the verb be. It is possible to form questions from all-cleft sentences, but negative sentences are not very common. Take a look at some examples:
Jimmy wants a brand new bicycle for Christmas. →
Here, 'a brand new bicycle' is in focus.
She complains about everything. →
Did she want a good job? →
There-cleft Sentences
There-cleft Sentences have a similar function to an 'it-cleft'. They indicate the existence of something for emphasis. As subjects, they have a dummy "there" which is followed by the main verb be, as well as some intransitive verbs like come, exist and remain.
I'm trying to adopt this orphan kid. →
Camille wanted to buy this new car. →
Someday you have to give up everything in life. →
As you can see, 'there' can be followed by an intransitive verb such as come.
If-because Cleft Sentences
If-because Cleft Sentences function similarly to inferential cleft sentences. By using the if-because cleft sentence you can simply create a reason for an action.
He wants to be a millionaire to help poor children. →
It seems that she is meddling because she's trying to help the family. →
As you can see, we can use 'just' to emphasize more.
Warning
If-because cleft sentences contain the conjunction 'if' which is normally associated with conditionals; however, they are not considered conditionals.
Review
A cleft-sentence is usually a simple sentence that has turned into a complex sentence to emphasize a particular constituent. It is usually formed by an empty subject such as it or that.
We have several types of cleft-sentences as mentioned in the following list.
- It-cleft
- Wh-cleft
- All-cleft
- There-cleft sentences
- If-because cleft sentences
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