Grammar – Emphasis Name:
CLEFT SENTENCES
A cleft sentence is divided into two parts for emphasis.
For example: Linh read a poem in the cafe last night.
If we split this (make it a cleft sentence), we can move the order for emphasis:
● It was Linh who read a poem in the cafe last night.
● It was a poem that Linh read in the cafe last night.
● It was in the cafe that Linh read a poem last night.
● It was last night that Linh read a poem in the cafe.
A. Cleft sentences starting with It
An It cleft puts the content to be emphasised at the start. The rest of the information is packaged
into the second half of the sentence, starting with that/ who/which etc.
- It was Usain Bolt who broke the world record.
- It was their performances which made them popular.
- It’s the manager who gave that instruction.
The structure is It + is/was + emphasised language + (that, which, who) + clause.
B. Cleft sentences starting with What / All
A What/All cleft emphasises information at the end.
- What I want is a ticket to the match.
- All we need is some sunny weather.
- All I said was that I didn’t like her dress.
The structure is What (the thing) or All (the only thing) + clause + (to be) + the part of the
sentence we want to emphasise.
C. Cleft sentences for events or sequences of events
We can emphasise a chain of events by adding What happens is/ What happened was ...
- What happens is that you go into the Great Hall, wait until your name is called and walk forward
to put on the Sorting Hat.
- What happens is that you start the engine, put the car in gear, take off the handbrake and then
you can drive.
- What happened was that I was walking along the street, and I suddenly felt teeth around my
ankle.
D. Cleft sentences with additional phrases
Extra practice Page 1
Grammar – Emphasis Name:
There are several common phrases which we add to the start of a sentence for emphasis.
- The person I spoke to was the owner of the business.
- The reason (why/ that) I bought it was that it was cheap.
- The place where we stayed was supposed to be a 4-star hotel.
We can start a sentence with:
The reason why ...
The person who ... + clause + (to be) + emphasised part.
The place where ...
The first/last time that ...
E. Use a cleft sentence to rewrite the following statements. The emphasis is put on the word
in bold
1. The person who told me about the hotel was Keith.
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2. Only when the plane landed did I feel a great sense of relief.
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3. I left because I felt ill.
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4. Sarah saw a plane not a UFO.
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5. I had to borrow my father’s car to go to the job interview.
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6. The reason why I’ve come is to discuss my future with you.
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7. My brother bought his new car from our next-door neighbour last Saturday.
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8. Last night I lent my bike to Sue.
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9. Christopher Columbus discovered America in 1492.
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10. I can’t bear you because you are always complaining about everything.
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11. He proposed to repair the building and turn it into a cultural centre.
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12. His wife killed Peter in a fit of jealousy.
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13. The person who recommended me to become a doctor was my father.
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14. My teenage daughter is missing, and I don’t know what I can do.
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F. Complete the sentences in your own words
Extra practice Page 2
Grammar – Emphasis Name:
1.What I want right now is a cup of ....................... and a ........................
2. The reason I brought this top was that ........................................
3. It was Room 5 where .........................................
4. All I did was poke it and it ...........................................
5. What happened on Saturday was that ...........................................
6. The first person who I spoke to in college was ...................................
7. All we need is a roll of wire, a hammer, 6 pieces of wood and some nails and we’ll be able to
build a ...............................
8. What happens is we show our passports and tickets and we’re given our .........................
TAG QUESTIONS
Complete the Tag questions.
1. You’re going to church tomorrow, ……………………?
2. Henry signed the petition, ………………………..?
3. There's a trip tomorrow, ………………………?
4. Janet will be attending college in September, …………………...?
5. Her pet daughter has been studying Chinese for six months,............................?
6. It sure is rainy today,.....................?
7. Nam and Ba should stay in the hotel,...................................?
8. You can’t play volleyball today,.................................?
9. There aren’t any apples left,........................?
10. We’ve seen that picture,..................................?
11. Ba wasn’t angry,..........................?
12. Ben hasn’t had lunch,.............................?
13. You won’t say anything,.......................?
14. I didn’t wake him up,.........................?
15. Kerry doesn’t like oysters,................................?
16. His married couple don’t want to sell the shop,.........................?
17. Your leg doesn’t hurt,.......................?
18. People shouldn’t drink and drive,...........................?
19. Margaret isn’t going alone,......................?
20. Peter couldn’t pay the rent,.............................?
21. Mary doesn’t agree with Bill,.......................?
22. There wasn’t a lot to do,.........................?
23. He needn’t say anything,.......................?
24. That wasn’t Hoe on the phone,.........................?
25. You didn’t do it on purpose,.......................?
26. You take salt in soup,...........................?
Extra practice Page 3
