A cleft sentence is used to connect something that is already understood to a new information. A cleft sentence is a single message that is divided (cleft) into two clauses, allowing for the focus to be on the new information.
It-Cleft Sentences
The it-clauses is the most common type of cleft clause. The detail that follows it is the information that the listener should focus on. The clause after the it-clause is linked by that. It also has information that is already understood. In informal situations when it is the object of the verb, that is omitted.
Examples:
A: The Joneses’ house was burglarized two nights ago, did it?
B: No. It was the Sandlers’ house that was burglarized!
Old information: a house was burglarized
New information: it was the Joneses’ house
A: They’ve visited Paris, haven’t they?
B: No, it was Madrid (that) they visited!
Old information: they visited a place
New information: it was Madrid
Is it Taylor Swift’s concert that you are attending this weekend?
Old information: you are attending a concert
New information: Taylor Swift’s concert?
Who is used and not that if the focus is the personal subject. In informal situations when it is the object of the verb, who is omitted.
It was my sister who (or that) they gave the present to.
Also: It was my sister they gave the present to.
A plural verb is used when a plural subject is the focus. It + be stays singular.
It’s the priests who were officiating their wedding.
In the it-clause, negative structures are used.
It wasn’t the American singer who won the award.
Wh-Cleft Sentences
For a Wh-cleft sentence, it is introduced by what. Why, where, how, etc. can also be used sometimes. The old information can be found in the wh-clause. The new information, on the other hand, can be found in the next clause.
A: I don’t know what to tell them. I don’t know what they want to talk about.
B: What they want to talk about is sports.
Old information: talking about what they want to speak about
New information: they want to talk about sports
A: The dishes in this restaurant aren’t very delicious.
B: What you need to do is order their specialty.
Old information: there is something wrong with the dishes in the restaurant
New information: you need to order their specialty