Use it is/was + focus + that/who to highlight a part of the message. What-clefts put the focus after be.
The idea
Use it is/was + focus + that/who to highlight a part of the message. What-clefts put the focus after be.
Structure & examples
It was the deadline that worried her most.
What we need is a clearer plan.
Notice the pattern
A cleft divides one message into two clauses to emphasise selected information. In an it-cleft, the focus follows it is or it was; the remaining information follows that or who. In a what-cleft, the new focus follows be. Choose the structure according to the contrast you want to highlight.
It was Anna who found the key.
What we need is more time.
Important notes & common mistakes
A what-cleft already contains what; do not add a second relative pronoun.
Before you practice
First choose a form from the options. Then produce it yourself using the word or structure in the instruction. Finally, build complete sentences. Check the explanation after each answer and revisit any mistakes in your review list.
Your progress
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Mark this lesson as studied when you have finished the explanation.
Use it is/was + focus + that/who to highlight a part of the message. What-clefts put the focus after be.
It was Nina ___ solved the puzzle.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: who
Completed sentence: It was Nina who solved the puzzle. Use it is/was + focus + that/who to highlight a part of the message. What-clefts put the focus after be.
What I need ___ a little peace.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: is
Completed sentence: What I need is a little peace. Use it is/was + focus + that/who to highlight a part of the message. What-clefts put the focus after be.
It was on Tuesday ___ they announced the result.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: that
Completed sentence: It was on Tuesday that they announced the result. Use it is/was + focus + that/who to highlight a part of the message. What-clefts put the focus after be.
What surprised us ___ his confidence.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: was
Completed sentence: What surprised us was his confidence. Use it is/was + focus + that/who to highlight a part of the message. What-clefts put the focus after be.
Question 1 of 50% complete
It was the deadline ___ worried her most.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: that
Use it is/was + focus + that/who to highlight a part of the message. What-clefts put the focus after be.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: who
Completed sentence: It was Nina who solved the puzzle. Use it is/was + focus + that/who to highlight a part of the message. What-clefts put the focus after be.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: is
Completed sentence: What I need is a little peace. Use it is/was + focus + that/who to highlight a part of the message. What-clefts put the focus after be.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: that
Completed sentence: It was on Tuesday that they announced the result. Use it is/was + focus + that/who to highlight a part of the message. What-clefts put the focus after be.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: was
Completed sentence: What surprised us was his confidence. Use it is/was + focus + that/who to highlight a part of the message. What-clefts put the focus after be.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: that
Completed sentence: Use that: It was the cost that concerned us. Use it is/was + focus + that/who to highlight a part of the message. What-clefts put the focus after be.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: What
Completed sentence: Use what: What we need is a fresh perspective. Use it is/was + focus + that/who to highlight a part of the message. What-clefts put the focus after be.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: was
Completed sentence: Use was: It was yesterday that I first heard the news. Use it is/was + focus + that/who to highlight a part of the message. What-clefts put the focus after be.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: who
Completed sentence: Use who: It was my brother who suggested the trip. Use it is/was + focus + that/who to highlight a part of the message. What-clefts put the focus after be.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: is
Completed sentence: Use is: What matters most is your safety. Use it is/was + focus + that/who to highlight a part of the message. What-clefts put the focus after be.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: What we need is a clearer plan
Use it is/was + focus + that/who to highlight a part of the message. What-clefts put the focus after be. A what-cleft already contains what; do not add a second relative pronoun.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: It was Anna who found the key
It was Anna who found the key. Use it is/was + focus + that/who to highlight a part of the message. What-clefts put the focus after be. A what-cleft already contains what; do not add a second relative pronoun.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: What we need is more time
What we need is more time. Use it is/was + focus + that/who to highlight a part of the message. What-clefts put the focus after be. A what-cleft already contains what; do not add a second relative pronoun.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: It was the noise that woke me
It was the noise that woke me. Use it is/was + focus + that/who to highlight a part of the message. What-clefts put the focus after be. A what-cleft already contains what; do not add a second relative pronoun.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: What surprised me was her honesty
What surprised me was her honesty. Use it is/was + focus + that/who to highlight a part of the message. What-clefts put the focus after be. A what-cleft already contains what; do not add a second relative pronoun.
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