Cleft Sentences

Reference

Common mistakes

1. It was John bought the cake. → It was John who bought the cake.
   cleft needs the linking word
2. What I want it is some peace. → What I want is some peace.
   don't repeat "it"
3. It is yesterday when Mary bought it. → It was yesterday that Mary bought it.
   past topic → was, not is

Cleft Sentences — Exercises

Choose the cleft sentence

Circle the correct answer.

1. _____ who called you, not me. (It was Ana / Ana was it / It Ana was)
2. _____ is a long holiday. (What I need / That I need / What I need it)
3. It was in Paris _____ they first met. (that / where it / which)
4. _____ annoys me is his constant lateness. (What / That / It)
5. _____ you need is patience. (All / Every / Whole)
6. The reason _____ I left was the noise. (why / which / what)
7. It wasn't me _____ broke it — it was the cat! (who / which / what)
8. What surprised me most _____ her reaction. (was / it was / were)

Key word transformation

Complete the second sentence so it means the same as the first. Use the word in capitals.

1. I need a coffee. (WHAT) →   a coffee.
2. Tom broke the window. (IT) →   broke the window.
3. The traffic made us late. (REASON) → The   late was the traffic.
4. I only want some peace. (ALL) →   some peace.
5. Her calmness surprised me. (WHAT) →   her calmness.
6. They met in Rome. (THAT) → It was   met.

Cleft Sentences — Answer Key

Choose the cleft sentence

1. It was Ana — It-cleft: It was + person + who…
2. What I need — Wh-cleft: What I need is…
3. that — It-cleft with a place → that.
4. What — What annoys me is…
5. All — All-cleft: All you need is…
6. why — The reason why…
7. who — It-cleft about a person → who.
8. was — Wh-cleft: what … was + focus. Don't add it.

Key word transformation

1. What I need is
2. It was Tom who
3. reason we were
4. All I want is
5. What surprised me was
6. in Rome that they