Focusing with "It" (It-Clefts)
It is/was... that/who) are your secret weapon for emphasizing specific information.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'It-Clefts' to shine a spotlight on one specific part of your sentence for maximum emphasis.
- Start with 'It' followed by the verb 'be' in the correct tense: 'It was...'
- Place the information you want to emphasize immediately after 'be': 'It was the manager...'
- Connect the rest of the sentence using 'that' or 'who': '...who called me.'
Overview
You speak English well. You can show what is important.
Use this to show the most important part of a sentence.
Normal: The team made the logo. Special: It was the team who made the logo.
This makes your English better. People will listen to you more.
How This Grammar Works
- Base Sentence:
Her quick thinking prevented a major crisis. - Information to Emphasize:
Her quick thinking(The subject) - Transformation: The sentence is split. The emphasized element is moved into the focus position.
- Cleft Sentence:
It was her quick thinking that prevented a major crisis.
Word Order Rules
It: The invariable, expletive subject.be(verb): The verb must agree withIt, so it is always singular (e.g.,is,was,has been,will be). The tense ofbeshould match the tense of the main action.- [FOCUSED ELEMENT]: The piece of information you want to emphasize. This can be a noun phrase, pronoun, or an adverbial phrase of time or place.
that/who(relative pronoun): This word connects the focused element to the rest of the sentence. The choice depends on the focused element:- Use
whofor people.thatis also common for people in informal contexts. - Use
thatfor things, concepts, and ideas.whichis a possible but more formal alternative for things. - Use
thatfor adverbials of time and place.whenandwhereare also possible. For instance,It was in Paris that I met heris more common thanIt was in Paris where I met her. - [RELATIVE CLAUSE]: The remainder of the original sentence, now functioning as a clause that describes or modifies the focused element.
The project lead submitted the final report this morning. | Subject | It was the project lead who submitted the final report this morning. |The project lead submitted the final report this morning. | Object | It was the final report that the project lead submitted this morning. |Formation Pattern
The faulty sensor caused the system malfunction.
It + be, followed by your focused element.
It was the faulty sensor...
It was the faulty sensor that...
...caused the system malfunction.
When To Use It
- To Correct or Contradict: This is one of the most common uses. When you need to correct a false assumption or statement, an it-cleft provides a direct and unambiguous way to present the right information.
- A: "Did you book the flights through the company portal?"
- B: "No,
it was the travel agent who booked them."
- To Provide Focus and Specificity: When answering a question (either explicit or implicit), an it-cleft allows you to isolate the exact piece of information being requested.
- Implicit question: Something is making that noise. What is it?
- Answer: "
It's the wind that's making that noise."
- For Rhetorical Emphasis in Formal Contexts: In academic writing, presentations, or formal arguments, it-clefts are used to draw the reader's attention to a critical piece of evidence, a key concept, or a central part of the argument.
While several factors contributed, it was the invention of the printing press that truly democratized knowledge.
- To Add Emotional Weight or Express a Strong Opinion: The structure can amplify the emotional tone of a sentence, signaling that the focused information is particularly significant to the speaker.
It isn't his opinion that bothers me; it's the way he presents it as fact.
- In Narrative for Dramatic Effect: In storytelling, an it-cleft can build suspense or highlight a turning point by isolating a key action, character, or moment in time.
The party was in full swing. It was only then that she noticed the main guest was missing.
Common Mistakes
- 1Subject-Verb Agreement Errors: This is the most frequent mistake. There are two verbs to consider:
- The verb after
Itis always singular because it agrees withIt(is,was). - The verb in the relative clause must agree with the focused element.
- Incorrect:
It are the new policies that is causing confusion. - Correct:
It is the new policies that are causing confusion.(isagrees withIt;areagrees withpolicies)
- 1Attempting to Emphasize Verbs or Adjectives: Standard it-clefts cannot be used to focus on a verb or an adjective directly. The structure is designed for noun phrases, pronouns, and adverbials.
- Incorrect:
It was drove that he did all night.(Focus on verb) - Incorrect:
It was exhausted that the team felt.(Focus on adjective) - Correction: To emphasize an action, use a what-cleft:
What he did all night was drive.To emphasize an adjective, use an intensifier or a different structure:The team felt completely exhausted.
- 1Pronoun Case Confusion (Formal vs. Informal): When the focused element is a pronoun, its case can be tricky. Grammatical prescription and actual usage often diverge.
- Formal Rule: The pronoun after the verb
beshould be in the subject case (I,he,she,we,they). Example:It was I who designed the interface. - Common Usage: In nearly all informal and most formal spoken contexts, the object case pronoun is used (
me,him,her,us,them). Example:It was me who designed the interface.
- 1Overuse: Because it-clefts are an emphasis tool, their power is diluted by repetition. Using them in successive sentences makes writing feel clunky and unnatural. Reserve them for moments where you genuinely need to direct focus. If everything is emphasized, then nothing is.
Contrast With Similar Patterns
Real Conversations
It-clefts are a staple of natural communication. You will hear them constantly in various real-world settings. Notice how they function to clarify, correct, or emphasize.
- In a Work Slack Channel:
"Quick question - who is handling the client demo tomorrow?"
"It's Sarah who is leading it, but I'll be there to support."
- Discussing a Movie:
"The acting was good, but the plot was a bit weak."
"I agree. It was the cinematography that really stood out to me. Every shot was beautiful."
- Clarifying an Order at a Cafe:
"So that's one latte and one cappuccino?"
"Sorry, it's a flat white that I wanted, not a cappuccino."
- In a Formal Email:
"Dear team, thank you for your submissions. Please note it is the 3 p.m. deadline that is firm, so ensure all documents are uploaded by then."
- On Social Media:
"People are blaming the developers, but it's the publisher that rushes these games out before they're ready."
Quick FAQ
Can I use these sentences for the past or future?
Yes. You can use "will be" or "has been" too.
Can I take out the words "that" or "who"?
Sometimes people do. But it is better to keep them.
Can I use this to ask a question?
Yes. Ask "Was it the manager?" or "Who was it?"
What is the main difference between It was the key that I lost and What I lost was the key?
Say "It was the key" if they know you lost something.
Can I say "for which" in these sentences?
You can, but it is very formal. Put "for" last.
How do I know if I am overusing them?
Do not use these too much. Use them for important things.
Structure of an It-Cleft
| Dummy Subject | Verb 'Be' (Tense) | Focused Element | Relative Pronoun | Rest of Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
It
|
is
|
the price
|
that
|
matters.
|
|
It
|
was
|
my sister
|
who
|
won.
|
|
It
|
isn't
|
the money
|
that
|
I want.
|
|
It
|
wasn't
|
in May
|
that
|
we met.
|
|
It
|
will be
|
the voters
|
who
|
decide.
|
|
It
|
has been
|
his health
|
that
|
suffered.
|
Contractions in Clefts
| Full Form | Contracted Form | Usage |
|---|---|---|
|
It is...
|
It's...
|
Very common in speech
|
|
It was...
|
n/a
|
Rarely contracted
|
|
It is not...
|
It isn't... / It's not...
|
Common for denial
|
|
It was not...
|
It wasn't...
|
Common for denial
|
Meanings
A cleft sentence is a complex sentence in which a simple sentence is divided into two clauses to give focus to one part of the information.
Subject Focus
Emphasizing the person or thing performing the action.
“It was Sarah who won the race.”
“It is the sun that provides energy.”
Object Focus
Emphasizing the person or thing receiving the action.
“It was the blue car that he bought.”
“It is the truth that I am seeking.”
Adverbial Focus
Emphasizing when, where, or how something happened.
“It was in 1969 that man first walked on the moon.”
“It is only through hard work that we succeed.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
It + be + focus + that/who
|
It was the dog that barked.
|
|
Negative
|
It + be + not + focus + that/who
|
It wasn't the dog that barked.
|
|
Question
|
Be + it + focus + that/who?
|
Was it the dog that barked?
|
|
Time Focus
|
It + be + time phrase + that
|
It was at midnight that he arrived.
|
|
Reason Focus
|
It + be + because... + that
|
It is because of you that I am here.
|
|
Prepositional
|
It + be + prep phrase + that
|
It was in the garden that I found it.
|
Formality Spectrum
It was Mr. Smith who initiated the telephone correspondence. (reporting a call)
It was John who called. (reporting a call)
It was John who rang. (reporting a call)
It was John who hit me up. (reporting a call)
The Anatomy of an It-Cleft
Subject
- It was John... who did it
Object
- It was the cake... that I ate
Time
- It was on Monday... that it happened
Normal vs. Cleft
Choosing the Right Tense
Is the main action in the past?
Is the focus a person?
Examples by Level
It is my mom who cooks dinner.
It is the red pen that I want.
It was a cat that I saw.
It is London that is the capital.
It was my brother who took the keys.
It wasn't me who broke the vase.
It is this book that I need for class.
Was it you who called me?
It was in 2010 that we moved to Spain.
It is the lack of time that worries me.
It was because of the rain that we stayed home.
It is her talent that makes her famous.
It was the CEO himself who addressed the staff.
It is not what he said, but how he said it.
It was only after the meeting that I realized the error.
It is the environment that we must protect for future generations.
It is with great regret that we announce the closure.
It was through sheer persistence that she achieved her goals.
It is the underlying assumptions that need to be challenged.
It was not until much later that the truth emerged.
It is the very fabric of our society that is at stake.
It was by no means certain that the plan would succeed.
It is her uncanny ability to predict trends that sets her apart.
It was against this backdrop of economic instability that the revolution began.
Easily Confused
Learners mix up 'It was...' and 'What I want is...'.
Learners think 'It is raining' is a cleft sentence.
Learners forget that clefts are just a special type of relative clause.
Common Mistakes
Is my mom who cooks.
It is my mom who cooks.
It is my mom cooks.
It is my mom who cooks.
It my mom who cooks.
It is my mom who cooks.
It are my parents who cook.
It is my parents who cook.
It was the dog which barked.
It was the dog that barked.
It is yesterday that I saw him.
It was yesterday that I saw him.
It was me who did it.
It was I who did it. (Formal) / It was me who did it. (Informal)
It was in London where I met her.
It was in London that I met her.
It was because the rain we stayed.
It was because of the rain that we stayed.
It was my friends who they helped me.
It was my friends who helped me.
It is the results which are surprising.
It is the results that are surprising.
It was him that I gave the book.
It was him that I gave the book to.
It is only then when we understand.
It is only then that we understand.
Sentence Patterns
It was ___ who ___.
It is ___ that ___.
It was only when ___ that ___.
It is not ___ but ___ that ___.
Real World Usage
It was my previous role that prepared me for this challenge.
It's the traffic that's making me late!
It is this specific chemical reaction that causes the change.
It's the fans who make this all worth it.
It was the defendant who was seen at the scene.
It is our policy that prevents us from giving a refund.
The Finger Test
Don't Overuse
Contrastive Focus
Polite Correction
Smart Tips
Use a negative it-cleft followed by a positive one.
Use an it-cleft to define your main thesis or cause.
Try removing 'It is' and 'that' to find the simple core of the sentence.
Use 'who' to sound more natural and 'that' to sound slightly more formal.
Pronunciation
Stress on the Focus
The word immediately following 'is' or 'was' receives the strongest stress in the sentence.
Reduction of 'that'
The word 'that' is usually reduced to a schwa sound /ðət/.
Rising-Falling on Focus
It was the ↗DOG↘ that barked.
Conveys certainty and emphasis on the subject.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Remember 'IT IS THE...' — It (Subject), Is (Verb), The (Focus).
Visual Association
Imagine a theater stage. The whole stage is dark except for one bright spotlight hitting a single actor. That actor is the 'Focus' of your It-cleft.
Rhyme
If you want to make it clear, put 'It was' right in their ear!
Story
A detective is at a crime scene. Everyone is guessing who did it. He points his finger and says, 'It was the butler who stole the diamond!' The 'It-cleft' is his way of being 100% certain and dramatic.
Word Web
Challenge
Look around your room. Pick three objects and describe them using an It-cleft (e.g., 'It is my laptop that is on the desk').
Cultural Notes
It-clefts are very common in British political debates to precisely attribute policies or failures to specific parties.
In scientific writing, it-clefts are used to avoid 'I' while still emphasizing the cause of a result.
Hiberno-English often uses cleft-like structures more frequently than other dialects for added flavor.
Cleft sentences have existed in English since the Old English period, but became much more frequent in Middle English.
Conversation Starters
Was it your parents who chose your name?
Is it the weather that affects your mood the most?
Was it a specific book that changed your life?
Is it the government or the individuals who should be responsible for the environment?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
John broke the window.
It ___ in 1945 that the war ended.
It was the rain ___ caused the flood.
Find and fix the mistake:
It is my parents who they helped me.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
was / it / that / her / me / kindness / touched
In an it-cleft, you can use 'It are' if the focus is plural (e.g., 'It are my friends').
A: Did Sarah win the prize? B: No, ___.
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesJohn broke the window.
It ___ in 1945 that the war ended.
It was the rain ___ caused the flood.
Find and fix the mistake:
It is my parents who they helped me.
1. I love you. 2. I met her in Paris. 3. He needs a rest.
was / it / that / her / me / kindness / touched
In an it-cleft, you can use 'It are' if the focus is plural (e.g., 'It are my friends').
A: Did Sarah win the prize? B: No, ___.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesIt ___ his dedication that led to his promotion.
It was the new manager who they hired her.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'Foi o silêncio que me assustou.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the emphasized elements with the correct relative pronoun in an it-cleft.
It is the small gestures ___ truly matter in a relationship.
It was because of her talent that she got the scholarship.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'É a paciência que os caracteriza.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the original sentence with its correctly emphasized it-cleft version.
Score: /12
FAQ (8)
Technically yes, but it sounds very formal or slightly dated. In modern English, `that` or `who` is much more common in clefts.
In formal writing, `It is I` is grammatically 'correct', but in 99% of real-life situations, everyone says `It is me`.
In informal speech, yes: 'It was John called me.' But in writing, you should always include `that` or `who`.
Because the word 'cleft' means 'split'. You are splitting one simple sentence into two parts.
Yes! You can say, 'It will be the manager who makes the final decision.'
They are very similar. 'It-clefts' are slightly more emphatic and common in writing.
No, it-clefts usually focus on a noun or a prepositional phrase. For whole clauses, use a `Wh-cleft` (e.g., 'What happened was...').
Yes, it is equally common in all major dialects of English.
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 'qui' for subjects and 'que' for objects; English often uses 'that' for both.
Es ist... der/die/das
German relative pronouns change based on gender (der/die/das).
...no wa ...da
Japanese puts the focus at the end of the sentence.
Innama / Word order
Arabic doesn't use a dummy 'It' structure.
Shi... de (是...的)
The 'de' comes at the very end of the sentence in Chinese.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Learn These First
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