It-Clefts: Adding Strong Emphasis
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
It-clefts split a sentence in two to highlight one specific piece of information, making it the 'star' of the sentence.
- Start with 'It' + 'be' (It is/was) to introduce the focus. Example: 'It was Sarah who won.'
- Follow the focus with a relative clause starting with 'that' or 'who'. Example: 'It was the dog that barked.'
- Ensure the verb 'be' matches the tense of the original action. Example: 'It is today that we leave.'
Overview
Use these sentences to show one very important word.
Split a sentence into two parts. Put important words first.
How This Grammar Works
It: This is an empty, grammatical subject. It carries no semantic meaning itself but serves to initiate the cleft structure.be: The verbto be(e.g.,is,was,will be) connects theitphrase to the emphasized element. Its tense generally aligns with the main verb of the original, unclefted sentence.- Emphasized Element (Focus): This is the specific part of the sentence you want to highlight. It can be a noun phrase, a pronoun, an adverbial phrase (of time, place, manner), or even a prepositional phrase.
- Relative Pronoun/Complementizer: Typically
that,who/whom, orwhich. This word introduces the relative clause and links the emphasized element to the remainder of the sentence. In formal contexts,whomcan be used for emphasized human objects. - Relative Clause (Presupposition): This part contains the information that is assumed to be known or contextually given. It completes the original statement, with the emphasized element extracted from its original position.
John broke the window:- Emphasizing
John:It was John who broke the window.(Presupposition: Someone broke the window. Focus: John.) - Emphasizing
the window:It was the window that John broke.(Presupposition: John broke something. Focus: the window.)
Word Order Rules
It: Always the singular third-person pronounIt. It never changes toTheyorThese, even if the emphasized element is plural.It was my teammates who supported me.(Not:They were my teammates...)
beverb: This verb must agree in tense with the original, unclefted sentence's main verb. It is always singular (is,was,will be,has been,would be).
is | It is her dedication that impresses me. |was | It was the sudden storm that caused delays.|has been | It has been Sarah who has led the project.|will be | It will be next week that we submit. |- Emphasized Element: This can be:
- Noun Phrase/Pronoun:
It is the manager who makes the final decision.It was she who proposed the solution. - Adverbial Phrase (Time, Place, Manner):
It was yesterday that we met.It is in this office where the magic happens.It was with great difficulty that they finished. - Prepositional Phrase:
It was for his family that he worked so hard. - Entire Clause (often
because-clause):It was because he missed his flight that he was late.
- Relative Pronoun/Complementizer:
who/whom: Used when emphasizing a person who functions as the subject or object of the relative clause.Whois common in all registers;whomis highly formal for objects.- Subject:
It was the doctor who saved her life. - Object (formal):
It was the CEO whom they interviewed.(More common:It was the CEO that they interviewed.) that: The most versatile. Usethatfor emphasizing people or things (subject or object). It is often preferred in informal speech due to its flexibility.It was the team that won the championship.It is patience that you need most.which: Primarily used for emphasizing things. Less common thanthatfor things in clefts, but grammatically correct.It was the old book which contained the secret.where: Used for emphasizing a place.It is in the library where you'll find the information.when: Used for emphasizing a time.It was on Friday when the announcement was made.why: Used for emphasizing a reason.It was because of the traffic why I was late.(Note:thator omittingwhyis also common here:It was because of the traffic that I was late.orIt was because of the traffic I was late.)
Formation Pattern
The new marketing strategy (the agent of the action).
our sales (the object affected).
last quarter (the time).
It was...
The new marketing strategy (thing, subject): that
our sales (thing, object): that
last quarter (time): when or that
When To Use It
- Correcting Misinformation or Misunderstanding: When you believe your listener or reader has incorrect information or an inaccurate assumption, an it-cleft can forcefully correct it by highlighting the true fact.
- "You thought I called you, but it was my sister who called you." (Implicit correction: "I didn't call you.")
- "No, it wasn't the budget cuts that caused the problem; it was the lack of clear leadership."
- Introducing New, Surprising, or Crucial Information: In narratives, discussions, or formal presentations, you can use an it-cleft to signal that the emphasized element is the central point you want your audience to absorb. This creates a sense of anticipation and focuses attention.
- "After months of investigation, it was a single overlooked email that finally revealed the conspiracy."
- "To truly understand the culture, it is the unwritten rules that you must learn."
- Adding Emotional Intensity or Persuasive Force: Cleft sentences can elevate the emotional impact of a statement, making it more dramatic, emphatic, or even accusatory. This is particularly effective in arguments or impassioned speeches.
- "After everything we've been through, it's your indifference that truly hurts me."
- "Ultimately, it was his unwavering belief in the project that convinced the investors."
- Explaining Cause or Reason: When the cause or reason for an event is the critical piece of information, an it-cleft with a
because-clause can be highly effective. - "Many people assume it was simply bad luck, but it was because of inadequate safety measures that the accident occurred."
- "It's the constant demands of the market that force companies to innovate."
- Marking a Contrast: It-clefts are excellent for drawing a clear distinction between two ideas or elements, especially when one is true and the other is false or less significant.
- "It's not the quantity of data that matters, it's the quality of the analysis."
- "You might think it's the technology, but it's the human connection that makes our service unique."
- Achieving a More Formal or Objective Tone (in writing): While common in speech, in academic or journalistic writing, it-clefts can lend a degree of objectivity by framing a statement as a universally accepted truth or a significant finding. This helps present findings as factual and impactful.
- "It is the rapid advancements in AI that present both unprecedented opportunities and ethical challenges."
- "Historically, it was the shift towards renewable energy that marked a turning point in global policy."
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect
beverb form (especially number agreement): A frequent error is making thebeverb agree with the emphasized element if it's plural, rather than withIt. Remember,Itis always singular. - Incorrect:
It are my colleagues who help me. - Correct:
It is my colleagues who help me.(The verbisagrees with singularIt, not pluralcolleagues.) - Incorrect:
It were the heavy rains that caused the flood. - Correct:
It was the heavy rains that caused the flood.
- Omitting the Relative Pronoun: Unlike some restrictive relative clauses where
thatcan be omitted, in it-clefts, the relative pronoun (that,who,which,where,when,why) is almost always required to maintain the structural integrity. - Incorrect:
It was John called me. - Correct:
It was John who called me./It was John that called me. - Incorrect:
It is this feature distinguishes our product. - Correct:
It is this feature that distinguishes our product.
- Emphasizing a Verb Directly: It-clefts are designed to emphasize noun phrases, pronouns, or adverbial phrases/clauses. You cannot use them to emphasize the main verb directly. For verb emphasis, use emphatic
do/does/did. - Incorrect:
It was running that she did.(awkward and grammatically flawed) - Correct (Emphatic
do):She did run the marathon. - Correct (It-cleft, emphasizing object):
It was the marathon that she ran.
- Confusing
It-cleftswithPseudo-clefts(Wh-clefts): While both are emphasis structures, they emphasize different parts and have different forms. It-clefts emphasize almost any constituent except the verb. Wh-clefts typically emphasize actions or objects, starting withWhat. - Incorrect Confusion: Using
WhatwhereItis needed for a subject emphasis. - Original:
The manager decided to implement the change. - It-cleft (emphasizing subject):
It was the manager who decided to implement the change. - Wh-cleft (emphasizing the decision):
What the manager decided to implement was the change.
- Overuse and Artificiality: While powerful, it-clefts should be used judiciously. Overusing them can make your writing or speech sound overly formal, repetitive, or unnatural, diluting their impact. They are most effective when employed strategically to highlight truly important information, not every piece of new information.
- Consider a simpler sentence if the emphasis isn't critical:
I bought a new car.(Clear and natural) vs.It was a new car that I bought.(Potentially over-emphasized if no contrast is implied).
- Pronoun Case after
be: In highly formal contexts, traditional grammar dictates the nominative case for pronouns followingbe(e.g.,It was I). However, in modern English, especially spoken and informal written contexts, the objective case (It was me) is overwhelmingly prevalent and considered acceptable. - Formal:
It was I who rang the bell. - Modern/Informal:
It was me who rang the bell.(This is generally safe unless writing for a very specific, traditional academic context).
Contrast With Similar Patterns
- It-clefts vs. Wh-clefts: It-clefts isolate one specific constituent (subject, object, adverbial) and present it as the focus, while the rest is presupposed.
It was the manager who decided.(Someone decided, that someone was the manager). Wh-clefts (or pseudo-clefts) present an action or event (in thewhat-clause) and then identify what that action/event is or results in.What they need is more time.(They need something, that something is more time). You cannot emphasize a verb with an it-cleft, but you can with a wh-cleft (e.g.,What he did was run away).
- It-clefts vs. Emphatic
do: Emphaticdoonly emphasizes the verb itself.I did tell you!confirms the action of telling. An it-cleft would emphasize a different element:It was you that I told!(emphasizing the recipient).
- It-clefts vs. Simple Intonation: While intonation is effective in speech, it-clefts provide a structural, grammatical signal of emphasis that functions equally well in writing. This makes the emphasis explicit and unambiguous, preventing misinterpretations that might arise from different reading styles or lack of auditory cues.
Real Conversations
It-clefts are not confined to formal academic texts; they permeate everyday communication, reflecting their utility in managing information and conveying attitude across various contexts, from casual banter to professional discourse.
- Workplace Discussion:
- Colleague 1: "I wonder who came up with that brilliant idea for the new project proposal."
- Colleague 2: "It was Sarah who actually spearheaded that effort, building on Mark's initial concept." (Correcting an implicit assumption and crediting the right person.)
- Manager: "It's the collaborative spirit of the team that truly drives our success." (Emphasizing a core value.)
- Social Media Commentary / Texting:
- Friend A: "Can't believe the concert was cancelled! So annoying."
- Friend B: "It's the unpredictable weather that always causes these issues, not the organizers." (Explaining the cause, deflecting blame.)
- Instagram caption for a travel photo: "It's the vibrant colors of the market that truly capture the essence of this city." (Highlighting a specific visual aspect as the most impactful.)
- News Report / Interview:
- Interviewer: "What do you think was the biggest factor in your team's victory?"
- Athlete: "It was our relentless training and teamwork that ultimately secured the win for us." (Emphasizing key contributory factors.)
- Analyst: "It is the volatile global market that continues to present significant challenges for the economy." (Identifying the primary source of challenge.)
- Personal Anecdote / Storytelling:
- "I searched everywhere for my keys. Finally, it was under the sofa cushions that I found them." (Building suspense and revealing the surprising location.)
- "Everyone thinks I got the promotion because of my connections, but it was my years of hard work and dedication that truly paid off." (Correcting a perception, asserting personal merit.)
- Online Forum / Q&A:
- User 1: "I'm having trouble with this coding problem. Is it my syntax?"
- User 2: "Usually, for that error, it's not the syntax but the logic itself that's causing the issue." (Offering a common explanation, contrasting with the user's assumption.)
These examples demonstrate how it-clefts naturally integrate into diverse conversational and written contexts, providing an adaptable tool for precision and impact in communication.
Quick FAQ
- Q: Can I use
whichinstead ofthatfor things? - A: Yes, absolutely. Both
thatandwhichare grammatically correct and interchangeable when emphasizing things.It was the book that changed my life.andIt was the book which changed my life.carry the same meaning and level of formality.Thatis generally more common in everyday speech.
- Q: Is
it was Iorit was mecorrect? - A: In prescriptive grammar, especially older or very formal registers,
It was I(nominative case) is considered correct becauseIis the complement of the verbto be. However, in modern English, particularly in spoken language and most forms of writing,It was me(objective case) is overwhelmingly more common and widely accepted. ChooseIt was mefor most contexts; reserveIt was Ifor highly formal or literary situations if you wish to adhere to stricter traditional rules.
- Q: Can I emphasize an entire clause?
- A: Yes, you can. It-clefts are particularly effective for emphasizing adverbial clauses, especially clauses of reason introduced by
because. It was because she was exhausted that she decided to take a day off.Here, the entirebecauseclause serves as the emphasized element.
- Q: Why not just use intonation for emphasis? What's the advantage of an it-cleft?
- A: While intonation is excellent for spoken emphasis, it-clefts provide structural emphasis that is explicit and unambiguous in both speech and writing. This structural reordering formally signals the speaker's intent to highlight specific information, preventing misinterpretation. It's a more robust and formal way to mark focus than relying solely on vocal stress.
- Q: Can it-clefts be used in questions?
- A: Yes, they can. To form a question with an it-cleft, you invert the
It is/waspart, just like a regularbequestion. Was it John who called?(From:It was John who called.)Is it the weather that's making you grumpy?(From:It's the weather that's making you grumpy.)Was it yesterday when they announced the results?
- Q: Are it-clefts considered formal or informal?
- A: It-clefts are versatile. They are very common in spoken English, where they help structure conversation and highlight new information. However, they also frequently appear in formal academic and journalistic writing, where they can be used to present findings, emphasize key points, or lend an objective tone. Their formality depends largely on the context and the specific elements being emphasized.
- Q: Is it possible to omit
thatorwhoin it-clefts, like in some other relative clauses? - A: Generally, no. In standard English it-clefts, the relative pronoun (
that,who,which,where,when,why) is considered obligatory. Its presence is integral to the grammatical construction, acting as a link between the emphasized element and the remaining clause. Omitting it would typically result in an ungrammatical or highly informal structure.
- Q: Can I use
forinstead ofbecausein an it-cleft emphasizing reason? - A: While
forcan introduce a reason, it's not typically used in the emphasized clause of an it-cleft in the same waybecauseis. You would usually usebecausefor emphasizing a causal clause. It was because of her dedication that she succeeded.(Correct)It was for her dedication that she succeeded.(Less natural,forwould likely introduce a purpose rather than a direct reason in this structure).
Tense Variations of It-Clefts
| Tense | It + Be | Focus | Relative Clause |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Present Simple
|
It is
|
the money
|
that matters.
|
|
Past Simple
|
It was
|
the money
|
that mattered.
|
|
Present Perfect
|
It has been
|
the money
|
that has caused the trouble.
|
|
Future Simple
|
It will be
|
the money
|
that decides the winner.
|
|
Modal (Possibility)
|
It might be
|
the money
|
that he wants.
|
|
Negative Past
|
It wasn't
|
the money
|
that I lost.
|
Common Contractions
| Full Form | Contraction | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
|
It is
|
It's
|
Very common in speech and informal writing.
|
|
It was
|
It'was (Non-standard)
|
Rarely contracted in standard English.
|
|
It is not
|
It isn't / It's not
|
Both are common; 'It's not' is slightly more frequent.
|
|
It was not
|
It wasn't
|
Standard contraction for past negative.
|
Meanings
A grammatical construction used to focus on a specific constituent (subject, object, or adverbial) by placing it after 'It + be'. It effectively 'cleaves' (splits) a simple sentence into two parts to create contrast or emphasis.
Subject Focus
Emphasizing the person or thing performing the action.
“It was the rain that ruined our picnic.”
“It is my sister who usually handles the finances.”
Object Focus
Emphasizing the person or thing receiving the action.
“It was the red car that he bought, not the blue one.”
“It is her honesty that I admire most.”
Adverbial Focus (Time/Place)
Emphasizing when, where, or how something happened.
“It was in Paris that they first met.”
“It is only now that I realize my mistake.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
It + be + Focus + that/who...
|
It was Sarah who won the race.
|
|
Negative
|
It + be + not + Focus + that/who...
|
It wasn't the price that bothered me.
|
|
Question
|
Be + it + Focus + that/who...?
|
Was it you who left the light on?
|
|
Negative Question
|
Wasn't it + Focus + that/who...?
|
Wasn't it yesterday that we were supposed to meet?
|
|
Plural Focus
|
It + is/was + Plural Noun + that...
|
It was the students who organized the protest.
|
|
Adverbial Focus
|
It + be + Prep Phrase + that...
|
It was in 1999 that the company was founded.
|
Formality Spectrum
It was John who shattered the window. (Reporting an incident)
It was John that broke the window. (Reporting an incident)
It was John who did it. (Reporting an incident)
It was John who messed up the window. (Reporting an incident)
The Anatomy of an It-Cleft
Components
- It Dummy Subject
- Be Tense Carrier
- Focus The Emphasized Part
- Relative Clause Background Info
Normal vs. Cleft Sentence
Should I use an It-Cleft?
Do you want to emphasize a specific part?
Are you correcting someone?
What can you focus?
Subjects
- • It was the teacher...
- • It is I...
- • It was the dog...
Objects
- • It was the car...
- • It is the truth...
- • It was them...
Adverbials
- • It was at midnight...
- • It is because of you...
- • It was in Rome...
Examples by Level
It is my book.
It is me!
It is cold today.
It is a big dog.
It was my mom who called.
It is the blue pen I want.
It was 10 PM when they left.
It is not my fault.
It was the movie that made her cry.
It is in London that the story happens.
It was because of the rain that we stayed home.
It is her smile that I like most.
It was only last week that I found out.
It is the government that should take action.
It was with great difficulty that he finished the race.
It is not what he said, but how he said it.
It was through sheer persistence that she succeeded.
It is not until we lose someone that we appreciate them.
It was the lack of transparency that the public resented.
It is I who am responsible for this oversight.
It was but a moment ago that the world seemed simple.
It is precisely this ambiguity that the poet exploits.
It might well have been the stress that triggered the illness.
It is seldom that one encounters such genuine talent.
Easily Confused
Both add emphasis, but Wh-clefts start with 'What' and focus on the whole clause.
Learners sometimes use 'There' as a dummy subject when they should use 'It'.
Both can shift focus to the object.
Common Mistakes
Is John who called.
It is John who called.
It was the cats that was hungry.
It was the cats that were hungry.
It was the book which I liked.
It was the book that I liked.
It is I who is the winner.
It is I who am the winner.
Sentence Patterns
It was ___ who ___.
It is ___ that ___.
It was not until ___ that ___.
It is with ___ that I ___.
Real World Usage
It was my time at Google that really shaped my approach to coding.
It's not you, it's me.
It is this discrepancy in the data that warrants further investigation.
Actually, it was the diet coke that I ordered, not the regular.
It's the little things that count. ✨
It was the defendant whom I saw entering the building.
It is our priority to ensure your data remains safe.
It's the next turning on the right that you need.
The 'That' Rule
Don't Over-Cleft
Check the Tense
Softening Criticism
Smart Tips
Use a negative it-cleft followed by a positive one.
Use an it-cleft to define the specific problem you are solving.
Remember that 'It' stays singular even if the focus is plural.
Keep the preposition with the focus, not at the end of the sentence.
Pronunciation
Focus Stress
In an it-cleft, the word immediately following 'is' or 'was' receives the strongest pitch accent.
Falling Intonation on Focus
It was the CAKE ↘ that I wanted.
Conveys finality and correction of a previous statement.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Remember 'IT IS THE FOCUS': It + Is + The Focus + that...
Visual Association
Imagine a theater stage. The whole stage is the sentence. The 'It is' is the spotlight operator, and the 'Focus' is the actor standing in the bright light while the rest of the sentence stays in the shadows.
Rhyme
If you want to make a point and make it hit, start your sentence with the word 'It'!
Story
John was accused of stealing a cookie. He didn't say 'I didn't do it.' He pointed at the dog and said, 'It was the DOG that ate the cookie!' The emphasis saved him from trouble.
Word Web
Challenge
Look at the last three sentences you wrote. Rewrite one of them as an it-cleft to change the emphasis.
Cultural Notes
It-clefts are frequently used in British political debates to sound more assertive and precise.
Clefting is extremely common in Ireland, often used even when no strong emphasis is intended, influenced by the Irish language structure.
In scientific papers, it-clefts are used to highlight specific findings or variables without using 'I' or 'We'.
The cleft construction has roots in Old English but became much more prominent in Middle English as the language moved away from case endings toward fixed word order.
Conversation Starters
Was it your parents who chose your name?
Is it the salary or the work-life balance that matters more to you?
Was it a specific book that changed your way of thinking?
Is it the culture or the food that you enjoy most when traveling?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
It ___ my brother ___ told me the news.
Select the correct option:
Find and fix the mistake:
Correct the verb agreement.
Rewrite the sentence.
You can use 'which' as a relative pronoun in an it-cleft.
A: Did Mary buy the cake? B: No, ___.
What is being emphasized?
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesIt ___ my brother ___ told me the news.
Select the correct option:
Find and fix the mistake:
Correct the verb agreement.
Rewrite the sentence.
You can use 'which' as a relative pronoun in an it-cleft.
A: Did Mary buy the cake? B: No, ___.
What is being emphasized?
1. I love her voice. 2. He lost his keys. 3. They met at the park.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
11 exercisesIt ___ her determination that made all the difference.
It is the strict deadline miss that often.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'Foi o seu comprometimento que garantiu o sucesso do projeto.'
Arrange these words into a sentence: 'the meeting / that / was cancelled / it was / the sudden illness / because of'
Match the beginnings and emphasized elements to form correct 'it'-clefts:
It was *at the cafe* ___ we first met.
It is him who is responsible for the error.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'Não foi o tamanho da equipe, mas a qualidade da pesquisa que impressionou o comitê.'
Arrange these words into a sentence: 'making you sad? / it's / what / that's / is'
Score: /11
FAQ (8)
Yes, in spoken English and informal writing, `It's` is very common. However, in formal academic writing, you should use the full `It is` or `It was`.
In formal English, `It is I` is technically correct. In modern, everyday English, almost everyone says `It is me`. If you use `I`, the following verb must be `am` (`It is I who am...`), which sounds very old-fashioned.
Absolutely! You can say, `It will be the voters who decide the outcome.` The verb `be` can be conjugated into any tense.
Normal sentences are fine, but they don't provide focus. `John called` is a fact. `It was John who called` implies 'It wasn't Peter or Sarah; it was specifically John.'
Yes, in very formal writing when the focus is an object. `It was he whom the committee chose.` However, `that` is much more common.
Yes. `It was because I was tired that I made the mistake.` This is a great way to emphasize a reason.
Yes, in this specific structure, `It` is a 'dummy subject' or 'expletive it'. It doesn't refer to anything; it just holds the spot for the verb.
In informal speech, yes, if it's the object. `It was the red one (that) I wanted.` But it's better to keep it for clarity.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Es... que / Fue... quien
English requires the dummy subject 'It'.
C'est... qui/que
French uses 'C'est' for almost all emphasis, whereas English has more variety.
Es ist... der/die/das
Word order in the relative clause follows German rules (verb-final).
〜のは〜だ (no wa... da)
Japanese doesn't use a dummy subject like 'It'.
إنما (Innama) / هو الذي (Huwa alladhi)
Arabic relies on particles and word order rather than a dummy subject construction.
是...的 (shì... de)
The 'de' comes at the end of the sentence in Chinese, unlike the 'that' clause in English.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Continue With
Focusing with "It" (It-Clefts)
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English It-Clefts: Emphasizing the Object (It was the...)
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Universal Emphasis: Using 'All' to Focus (All-Cleft)
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What you need is... (Wh-Clefts for Emphasis)
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