A cleft sentence takes information that would normally sit inside a simple sentence and moves it into a special structure to give it extra emphasis. "John broke the window" becomes "It was John who broke the window," making unmistakably clear that the important new information is who did it, not what happened. "Cleft" literally means "split", the single original sentence is split into two clauses to spotlight one specific piece of information.
2. Quick Summary
⚡ Cleft Sentences at a Glance
DefinitionA structure that splits a sentence to emphasise one specific piece of information.
It-cleftIt was + emphasised part + who/that + rest
Wh-cleftWhat + rest of sentence + is/was + emphasised part
Example"It was John who broke the window." / "What I need is a coffee."
Common Mistake"It was John who did broke" — don't double up on the verb structure
3. It-Clefts
It-clefts emphasise a specific noun phrase (a person, thing, time or place) from the original sentence, using "It was/is... who/that...".
Original Sentence
It-Cleft (Emphasis Added)
John broke the window.
It was John who broke the window. (emphasises John)
She found the missing keys.
It was the missing keys that she found. (emphasises the keys)
We met in Paris.
It was in Paris that we met. (emphasises the place)
The delay happened because of the strike.
It was the strike that caused the delay. (emphasises the cause)
💡
who vs that
Use "who" for people and "that" for everything else, though "that" is also acceptable and common for people in less formal contexts.
4. Wh-Clefts (What-Clefts)
Wh-clefts, most commonly built with "what," emphasise an action, a need, or a whole idea, by moving it to the end of the sentence after "is/was."
Original Sentence
Wh-Cleft (Emphasis Added)
I need a holiday.
What I need is a holiday.
She wants to travel more.
What she wants is to travel more.
This surprised me most.
What surprised me most was this.
We should focus on the customer.
What we should focus on is the customer.
5. All-Clefts
"All" can be used in a similar way to "what," typically to mean "the only thing."
All I want is a bit of peace and quiet.
All she said was "goodbye."
6. Common Mistakes
❌ Incorrect
✅ Correct
Why
It was John who did break the window.
It was John who broke the window.
Don't add an extra "did," the past tense verb already carries the meaning.
What I need it is a break.
What I need is a break.
Don't repeat the object as a separate pronoun before "is."
Is Paris that we met.
It was in Paris that we met.
An it-cleft always needs "It was/is" at the start.
What she wants travel more.
What she wants is to travel more.
The verb "is/was" is required to link the two halves of a wh-cleft.
7. Exercises
A. Gap Fill — Complete the cleft sentence (8 questions)
1. Rewrite for emphasis on 'Maria': Maria organised the party. → It ___ Maria ___ organised the party.
2. Rewrite for emphasis: I need more time. → What I need ___ more time.
3. Rewrite for emphasis on 'the manager': The manager approved the budget. → It ___ the manager ___ approved the budget.
4. Rewrite for emphasis: She wants to move abroad. → What she wants ___ to move abroad.
5. Rewrite: This shocked everyone. → What shocked everyone ___ this.
6. Rewrite for emphasis on 'London': We met in London. → It ___ in London ___ we met.
7. Rewrite: I want a coffee. → All I want ___ a coffee.
8. Rewrite for emphasis on 'the storm': The storm caused the delay. → It ___ the storm ___ caused the delay.
Show Answers (A)
1. was, who 2. is 3. was, who 4. is 5. was 6. was, that 7. is 8. was, that
B. Multiple Choice (5 questions)
1. It was Maria ___ organised the party. (a) who (b) what
2. ___ I need is a holiday. (a) It (b) What
3. It was in Paris ___ we met. (a) that (b) what
4. ___ I want is peace and quiet. (a) All (b) It
5. It was the strike ___ caused the delay. (a) that (b) who
Show Answers (B)
1.a 2.b 3.a 4.a 5.a
C. Error Correction (4 questions)
1. It was John who did break the window.
2. What I need it is a break.
3. Is Paris that we met.
4. What she wants travel more.
Show Answers (C)
1. It was John who broke the window. 2. What I need is a break. 3. It was in Paris that we met. 4. What she wants is to travel more.
D. Freer Practice — Write Your Own Sentences (2 tasks)
1. Rewrite this sentence as an it-cleft, emphasising the person: 'Sarah wrote the report.'
2. Rewrite this sentence as a wh-cleft: 'I really need a break.'
Show Answers (D)
Model answers will vary. Examples: 1. "It was Sarah who wrote the report." 2. "What I really need is a break."
8. Mini Quiz
9. Exam Focus — Cambridge, IELTS, SELT
Exam
How Cleft Sentences Are Tested
Sample Question
Cambridge C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency
A common key word transformation pattern requiring emphasis restructuring.
"John organised the whole event." → "It ___ organised the whole event." (was John who)
IELTS Writing (Band 7+)
Occasional cleft sentences add stylistic variety and precise emphasis to essays.
"What is often overlooked is the long-term environmental cost."
Trinity ISE III/IV (higher SELT levels)
Advanced candidates use cleft structures naturally to emphasise key points in extended speaking.
Using "What really matters to me is..." to structure an opinion clearly.
10. Frequently Asked Questions
A structure that splits a simple sentence into two clauses to give special emphasis to one specific piece of information, like 'It was John who broke the window.'
A structure using 'It was/is... who/that...' to emphasise a specific noun phrase, such as a person, thing, time or place.
A structure, usually starting with 'What,' that moves the most important information, often an action or need, to the end of the sentence after 'is/was.'
When you want to clearly highlight one specific piece of information as the most important part of your message, more strongly than normal word order allows.
Both are used, but 'who' is generally considered more precise and slightly more formal for people; 'that' is common in less formal speech.
They're an advanced structure most relevant at higher SELT levels, where they can help candidates emphasise key points clearly in extended speaking.
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