Cleft Sentences in English

Cleft sentences in English help us emphasise the most important part of a message. We use them to correct information, create contrast, express strong feelings and make important ideas stand out. They are particularly useful for B2 First and C1 Advanced learners who want to demonstrate a wider range of grammar in speaking and writing.

Quick Structure Guide

1. It-Cleft Sentences

It-clefts are among the most common cleft structures.

It + be + focused information + who/that + the rest of the sentence

• It was John who broke the window.
• It is honesty that she values most.

2. What-Cleft Sentences

What-clefts are often used to emphasise an action, need, idea, feeling or result. They are also known as pseudo-clefts.

What + subject + verb + be + focused information

• What I need is a good rest.
• What the company should do is improve its customer service.

The what-clause introduces the general idea. The information after the verb be tells us what that idea actually is.

3. Reverse Cleft Sentences

A reverse cleft begins with the information we want to emphasise and places the what-clause at the end.

Compare:

• What I need is a holiday.
• A holiday is what I need.

Both are correct, but the second gives the opening words greater prominence.

Focused information + be + what + clause

• A good rest is what I need.
• Patience is what helped him succeed.
• Better planning is what this project needs most.

Reverse clefts can work well when you want to end a paragraph or argument with a firm conclusion.

4. All-Cleft Sentences

All-clefts emphasise that something is the only thing needed, wanted, said or done.

All + subject + verb + be + focused information

• All I want is some peace and quiet.
• All she needs is a little encouragement.

These sentences are common in conversation and often express strong feelings.

5. Cleft Sentences with the Thing, Person, Place and Reason

We can also create emphasis with phrases such as:

• the thing that;
• the person who;
• the place where;
• the reason why;
• the way that.

Examples:

• The thing that worries me is the cost.
• The person who helped me most was my English teacher.
• The place where I feel most relaxed is my garden.
• The reason why I left was the lack of opportunities.

Cleft Sentences in Speaking

Cleft sentences are valuable in speaking because they help you highlight the central point of your answer.

Here are some useful patterns:

• What I enjoy most about learning English is discovering new expressions.
• The thing I find most difficult is speaking under pressure.
• It was my first teacher who made me interested in languages.
• All I need is a little more confidence.
• The place where I study best is the local library.

These structures are particularly useful in B2 First and C1 Advanced Speaking Parts 1 and 4, where candidates need to give personal opinions and develop their answers.

Cleft Sentences in Writing

Cleft sentences can add controlled variety to essays, articles, reviews, reports and stories.

Compare these paragraphs.

Basic paragraph

• Many students struggle with essay writing. They do not know how to organise their ideas. They need more practice.

Improved paragraph

• Many students struggle with essay writing, but it is not usually grammar that causes the greatest difficulty. What they often need is a clearer method of organising their ideas and more regular practice.

The improved version contains more contrast and places the main point in a prominent position.

Essay Examples

• What many cities need is a more reliable public transport system.
• It is education that gives young people the best chance of improving their lives.
• The reason many graduates move abroad is the shortage of suitable employment.
• What governments must consider is the long-term effect of the policy.

Review Examples

• What impressed me most was the quality of the acting.
• The person who gives the strongest performance is the lead actress.
• The thing I found disappointing was the predictable ending.

Cleft sentences

Common Mistakes with Cleft Sentences

1. Adding an Unnecessary Pronoun

❌ What I need it is more time.

✅ What I need is more time.

The what-clause already functions as the subject, so we do not need it.

2. Using All What

❌ All what I want is a holiday.

✅ All I want is a holiday.

Do not use what after all in this structure.

3. Forgetting the Verb Be

❌ What surprised me his reaction.

✅ What surprised me was his reaction.

A cleft sentence normally needs a form of be to connect its two parts.

4. Using When Instead of That in an It-Cleft

❌ It was yesterday when I saw her.

✅ It was yesterday that I saw her.

After the emphasised time expression in an it-cleft, use that.

5. Repeating the Object

❌ It was the blue dress that she bought it.

✅ It was the blue dress that she bought.

The focused object has already been mentioned, so do not repeat it with a pronoun.

Download Cleft Sentences in English Practice Worksheet in PDF here

Cleft Sentences Quiz

Related Lessons

• Word Formation for B2 First
• Inversion with Negative Adverbs and Adverbial Phrases
• Passive Voice in English
• Causative Verbs: Let, Make, Have, Get and Help
• Modal Verbs in English
• B2 First Grammar
• C1 Advanced Grammar