B2 · 중상급 챕터 1

Adding Focus and Balance

4 총 규칙
47 예문
6 분
이 챕터의 규칙 빠른 연습

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the art of emphasis and balance to make your English sound more professional and persuasive.

  • Structure complex sentences using anticipatory 'it'.
  • Highlight specific information with cleft sentences.
  • Apply the end-weight principle for better flow.
Command attention with every sentence.

배울 내용

Ready to make your English truly shine? We'll explore how to emphasize your message with It structures and impactful

The more, the better
comparisons. Get ready to craft more balanced sentences that flow naturally and sound just right!

  • 대용어 'It' 사용하기 (선행 'It')
    'It'을 사용해서 문장을 자연스럽게 연결하고, 긴 주어를 더 쉽게 다룰 수 있게 해주는 마법의 도구라고 생각해보세요. 마치 문장의 «흐름»을 좋게 하고, «복잡한 주어»를 «간단하게» 만들어주는 거죠!
  • "It"을 이용한 강조 (It-Clefts)
    It-clefts는 문장에서 특정 정보를 강조할 때 쓰는 여러분의 비밀 병기예요. 마치 스포트라이트를 비추는 것처럼요!
    It is/was... that/who
    구문을 잘 활용해 보세요.
  • 가장 중요한 것을 마지막에: 끝무게 원칙
    가장 중요한 정보는 문장 뒤에 두세요. 영어 문장이 훨씬 자연스럽고 명확하게 들릴 거예요! 이건 마치 '끝 강조' 원칙과 같아요.
  • 더 ~할수록, 더 ~하다: 비교 도치
    두 가지 아이디어가 서로 영향을 주고받는 관계를 우아하게 표현하고 싶을 때, 'the + 비교급' 구문을 사용해 보세요. 훨씬 유창하고 세련된 영어를 구사할 수 있을 거예요. 마치 «비례 관계», «우아한 표현», «유창함»을 위한 마법 도구처럼요.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Use 'it' as a placeholder to avoid awkward subject-heavy sentences.
  2. 2
    By the end you will be able to: Create cleft sentences to emphasize specific facts.
  3. 3
    By the end you will be able to: Organize information to place new or long data at the end of a sentence.
  4. 4
    By the end you will be able to: Construct persuasive arguments using comparative inversion.

챕터 가이드

Overview

As you move into B2 English, you're not just learning new grammar; you're refining your ability to express yourself with precision and natural flow. This chapter on English adding focus and balance is your key to making your speech and writing truly shine. We’re moving beyond just being understood to sounding sophisticated and genuinely natural, just like a native speaker.
These techniques are vital for mastering B2 English grammar and interacting fluently in diverse situations.
You'll discover how to use the versatile word It in two powerful ways: first, as an anticipatory placeholder to set up long ideas gracefully, and second, through It-clefts to spotlight specific pieces of information, making your meaning perfectly clear. We'll also explore the End-Weight Principle, a fundamental aspect of natural English rhythm that guides you to arrange your sentences so they sound just right.
Finally, we’ll tackle comparative inversion with structures like
The more, the better,
allowing you to express cause-and-effect relationships with elegance. By integrating these strategies, you’ll gain greater control over emphasis and clarity, transforming your English from functional to fluent and persuasive. Get ready to elevate your communication and feel more confident in every conversation!

How This Grammar Works

Let's dive into how these structures empower your English. First, consider Using 'It' as a Placeholder (Anticipatory It). This is incredibly useful when your subject is a long phrase or clause.
Instead of starting with a heavy, complex idea, we use 'It' to introduce the concept smoothly, pushing the longer subject to the end. For example, instead of
That you are learning these advanced structures is fantastic,
which can sound a bit clunky, we say:
It is fantastic that you are learning these advanced structures.
This makes the sentence flow much better, following a common pattern in English.
Building on that idea of focus, Focusing with It (It-Clefts) takes 'It' a step further. An It-cleft allows you to put a spotlight on a particular part of a sentence – the subject, object, or an adverbial phrase – to give it special emphasis. If someone asks,
Who broke the glass?
, you could just say, John broke it. But to strongly emphasize *who* did it, you’d use a cleft:
It was John who broke the glass.
Or, if you want to emphasize *what* was broken:
It was the glass that John broke.
This structure clearly highlights the most important information.
Both anticipatory 'It' and It-clefts inherently relate to the End-Weight Principle. This principle states that sentences sound most natural when the heaviest (longest or most complex) information is placed at the end. Our brains find it easier to process information that builds up to a conclusion.
For instance, rather than "That you've decided to pursue a new career path after so many years in your previous role surprised everyone," we apply End-Weight and use anticipatory 'It': "It surprised everyone that you've decided to pursue a new career path after so many years in your previous role."
Finally, we have The More, The Better: Comparative Inversion. This powerful structure links two changing ideas proportionally. It creates a natural cause-and-effect relationship using the pattern 'The more/less [S] [V], the more/less [S] [V]'.
For example, if you want to express the idea that increased practice leads to improved fluency, you would say:
The more you practice, the more fluent you become.
This elegant construction clearly shows how one thing influences another, making your arguments or observations more impactful and well-balanced.

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Using anticipatory 'It' when the subject is simple and direct, making the sentence unnecessarily wordy.
✓ It is important to remember this. (If 'to remember this' is a complex idea)
✗ It is cold. (Redundant 'It', just "It's cold or The weather is cold")
✓ The weather is cold.
  1. 1✗ Overusing It-clefts for simple statements, which can sound overly dramatic or unnatural in everyday conversation.
✓ It was Sarah who called me. (Emphasizes Sarah)
✗ It was I who went to the store. (Usually,
I went to the store
is sufficient and more natural.)
  1. 1✗ Ignoring the End-Weight Principle by placing long, complex clauses at the beginning of a sentence.
✓ It became clear that the decision to relocate the office would have significant consequences.
✗ That the decision to relocate the office would have significant consequences became clear.

Real Conversations

A

A

"I'm finding it hard to grasp some of the more advanced grammar points."
B

B

"Don't worry, it's completely normal to feel that way at this stage. Keep practicing!"
A

A

Who organized this incredible surprise party?
B

B

"It was Maria who thought of everything – she's amazing!"
A

A

"I'm still not confident speaking English in front of groups."
B

B

The more opportunities you take to speak, the more your confidence will grow.

Quick FAQ

Q

How does 'It' help with clarity in B2 English?

Using anticipatory It allows you to smoothly introduce a long or complex subject by placing it later in the sentence, making the start of your sentence lighter and easier to process. It-clefts then help by explicitly highlighting specific information you want to emphasize.

Q

Can I use

The more, the better
in formal writing?

Absolutely! The comparative inversion structure is perfectly acceptable and often used in both formal and informal contexts to express a proportional relationship clearly and concisely.

Q

What's the main benefit of the End-Weight Principle?

The End-Weight Principle makes your sentences sound more natural and flow better in English. By saving the most complex or longest parts of your sentence for the end, you help your listener or reader process information more effectively.

Q

Are It-clefts always necessary for emphasis?

No, It-clefts provide strong emphasis. You should use them strategically when you really want to highlight a particular piece of information. Often, simply stressing a word in speech or using adverbs can provide sufficient focus.

Cultural Context

These structures are fundamental across all English-speaking regions. Anticipatory It and the End-Weight Principle are deeply ingrained in the natural rhythm of English, making sentences easier to process. It-clefts are frequently used in spoken English for emphasis, but you might find them used a bit more sparingly in very formal academic writing, where other rhetorical devices might be preferred.
Comparative inversion (
The more, the better
) is universally understood and employed in all registers of English, from casual chats to academic papers. There are no significant regional differences in how these patterns are used, making them excellent tools for any B2 learner aiming for natural, balanced English.

주요 예문 (8)

1

It's important to finish your homework before gaming.

게임하기 전에 숙제를 끝내는 것이 중요해요.

대용어 'It' 사용하기 (선행 'It')
2

It was impossible for her to attend the Zoom meeting.

그녀가 줌 회의에 참석하는 것은 불가능했어요.

대용어 'It' 사용하기 (선행 'It')
3

It was the unexpected snowstorm that delayed all flights.

예상치 못한 눈보라 때문에 모든 항공편이 지연되었어요.

"It"을 이용한 강조 (It-Clefts)
4

It is my best friend who always motivates me to study.

저를 항상 공부하도록 동기 부여해 주는 건 바로 제 가장 친한 친구예요.

"It"을 이용한 강조 (It-Clefts)
5

It is important to remember the deadlines for the project.

프로젝트 마감 기한을 기억하는 것이 중요해요.

가장 중요한 것을 마지막에: 끝무게 원칙
6

She announced her decision to move to Paris after finishing her degree.

그녀는 학위를 마친 후 파리로 이사하기로 결정했다고 발표했어요.

가장 중요한 것을 마지막에: 끝무게 원칙
7

The sooner we start the project, the earlier we will finish it.

프로젝트를 빨리 시작할수록, 더 빨리 끝낼 수 있을 거예요.

더 ~할수록, 더 ~하다: 비교 도치
8

The more you practice your English, the more confident you'll feel speaking.

영어를 더 많이 연습할수록, 말할 때 더 자신감을 느낄 거예요.

더 ~할수록, 더 ~하다: 비교 도치

팁과 요령 (4)

💡

긴 주어를 깔끔하게!

문장이 긴 to-부정사 구나 that-절로 시작하면, 'It'을 문장 맨 앞에 써보세요. 훨씬 읽기 쉽고 이해하기 편해질 거예요.
To understand this concept fully takes time.
보다는
It takes time to understand this concept fully.
가 더 자연스럽죠?
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 대용어 'It' 사용하기 (선행 'It')
💡

강조하는 부분에 귀 기울여 보세요

친구가 이야기할 때 'It is...' 또는 'It was...'로 시작하는 문장을 들으면, 그 뒤에 오는 내용에 집중해 보세요. 그게 바로 친구가 정말 강조하고 싶은 핵심일 거예요.
It was the last piece of cake that I ate.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: "It"을 이용한 강조 (It-Clefts)
💡

문장의 흐름에 귀 기울여 보세요

문장을 소리 내어 읽어보세요. 만약 어색하거나 딱딱하게 들린다면, 문장 순서를 바꿔보는 연습을 해보세요. 여러분의 귀가 문장 끝 강조 원칙이 부족한 문장을 찾아내는 최고의 가이드가 될 거예요.
Read it aloud to check the flow.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 가장 중요한 것을 마지막에: 끝무게 원칙
💡

'The'를 놓치지 마세요

두 비교급 절 앞에 모두 'the'를 붙이는 걸 잊지 마세요. 이 작은 'the'가 문법적으로 정확하고 세련된 문장을 만드는 핵심 신호예요. 마치 '여기서부터 중요한 내용이 시작돼!' 하고 알려주는 표지판 같아요.
The more you understand, the better you speak.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 더 ~할수록, 더 ~하다: 비교 도치

핵심 어휘 (6)

Placeholder A word used to occupy a grammatical position Cleft A split structure for emphasis Emphasis Special importance given to something Inversion Reversal of the usual word order Flow The smooth progression of a sentence Anticipatory Coming before the real subject

Real-World Preview

briefcase

The Persuasive Pitch

Review Summary

  • It + be + adjective + to-infinitive
  • It + be + [highlighted info] + that/who + rest of clause
  • Move long/new info to the end of the sentence
  • The + comparative + [subject + verb], the + comparative + [subject + verb]

자주 하는 실수

You cannot leave the placeholder 'it' at the end of the sentence. It must go in the subject position.

Wrong: To finish is hard it.
정답: It is hard to finish.

Do not repeat the subject pronoun 'he' after the relative clause in an it-cleft.

Wrong: It was John that he broke the vase.
정답: It was John who broke the vase.

The comparative adjective or adverb must immediately follow 'the' in both parts of the structure.

Wrong: The more you study, the you learn more.
정답: The more you study, the more you learn.

Next Steps

You have built a strong foundation today. Keep practicing these structures in your daily emails or conversations to make them second nature!

Rewrite a news article using at least one cleft and one inversion.

Continue to: Creating Dramatic Effects

빠른 연습 (9)

문장 끝 강조를 적용하여 문장을 완성하세요.

The company decided to delay the launch of the new product, ___ unexpected technical issues.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: because of
이유인 'because of unexpected technical issues'를 끝에 배치하는 것은 문장 끝 강조 원칙을 따르는 것으로, 이 부분이 설명의 더 상세한 부분이기 때문입니다.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 가장 중요한 것을 마지막에: 끝무게 원칙

문장을 완성하기 위해 올바른 형태를 선택하세요.

The more you read, the ___ you become.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: wiser
'wise'의 비교급은 '-er'를 붙여 'wiser'가 됩니다. 'the more'와 짝을 이루려면 비교급 형태가 필요해요.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 더 ~할수록, 더 ~하다: 비교 도치

실수를 찾아 고치세요.

Find and fix the mistake:

More you give, happier you are.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: The more you give, the happier you are.
이 구조는 두 비교급 절 앞에 모두 'the'를 필요로 합니다. 'happy'의 올바른 비교급 형태는 'happier'입니다.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 더 ~할수록, 더 ~하다: 비교 도치

문장에서 틀린 부분을 찾아 고치세요.

Find and fix the mistake:

Is true that reading helps with language learning.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: It is true that reading helps with language learning.
문장에는 가짜 주어 'It'이 필요해요. 'It'을 생략하는 것은 흔한 실수입니다.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 대용어 'It' 사용하기 (선행 'It')

강조된 문장에서 틀린 부분을 찾아 고치세요.

Find and fix the mistake:

It are the small details that make a big difference.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: It is the small details that make a big difference.
'It' 뒤에 오는 'be' 동사는 강조되는 명사('details')가 복수이더라도 항상 단수('is' 또는 'was')여야 합니다.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: "It"을 이용한 강조 (It-Clefts)

어떤 문장이 가주어 'it'을 올바르게 사용하고 있나요?

올바른 문장을 고르세요:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: It is important to review for the exam.
'It'은 단수 동사('is')를 취하고, 'there'는 이런 종류의 일반적인 진술에는 사용되지 않아요.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 대용어 'It' 사용하기 (선행 'It')

강조를 위해 올바른 관계대명사를 선택하세요.

It was my laptop ___ crashed during the presentation.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: that
'my laptop'은 사물이므로, 문장의 나머지 부분과 연결하기 위해 'that'이 가장 적절한 관계대명사입니다.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: "It"을 이용한 강조 (It-Clefts)

문장 끝 강조 원칙에 따라 어떤 문장이 올바른가요?

가장 자연스럽게 들리는 문장을 고르세요:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: It was amazing news to everyone that she had won the lottery.
두 번째 선택지는 길고 새로운 정보('that she had won the lottery')를 문장 끝에 배치하여 문장이 더 자연스럽게 흘러가도록 합니다.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 가장 중요한 것을 마지막에: 끝무게 원칙

문장을 완성하기 위해 올바른 단어를 고르세요.

___ is essential to stay hydrated, especially during workouts.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: It
진짜 주어('to stay hydrated')가 문장 뒤에 올 때, 가짜 주어 'It'을 사용해요.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 대용어 'It' 사용하기 (선행 'It')

Score: /9

자주 묻는 질문 (6)

'anticipatory it'은 문장의 진짜 주어(주로 to-부정사 구나 that-절)가 뒤에 나올 때, 문장 맨 앞에 쓰는 가짜 주어 'it'이에요. 예를 들어,
It is easy to learn new things.
에서 'It'이 가주어 역할을 하죠.
문장을 더 자연스럽게 들리게 하고, 영어의 'end-weight principle' (더 길고 복잡한 정보는 문장 뒤에 두는 경향)을 따르기 위해서예요. 문장의 흐름을 좋게 만들어주죠.
'It-cleft'의 주된 목적은 문장에서 특정 정보에 특별한 강조나 초점을 두는 거예요. 듣는 사람이 *정확히* 무엇에 주목해야 하는지 알려주는 데 도움이 되죠. 예를 들어,
It was John who broke the window.
처럼요.
원래 행동의 시제나 언급하는 맥락에 맞춰서 사용해야 해요. 현재의 행동이나 일반적인 사실을 말할 때는 'It is'를 쓰고 (예:
It is her smile that I love
), 과거의 행동을 말할 때는 'It was'를 사용하면 돼요 (예:
It was the rain that ruined our plans
).
이것은 영어에서 길거나, 더 복잡하거나, 새로운 정보를 문장 끝에 두려는 자연스러운 경향을 말해요. 이렇게 하면 듣는 사람이나 읽는 사람이 문장을 더 쉽게 처리하고 이해할 수 있답니다. 예를 들어, 'It is important to understand this principle.'
'End-Weight'라고 불리는 이유는 문장의 '무거운' 부분(즉, 길거나 복잡한 부분)이 문장 끝으로 이동하기 때문이에요. 마치 문장의 균형을 잡기 위해 가장 무거운 부분을 끝에 두는 것처럼 생각하면 돼요.
다음 챕터
Creating Dramatic Effects
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