Grammar Essentials: The Complete Guide

Cleft Sentences

Cleft sentences are used for emphasis or focus in English. They split a simple sentence into two parts, typically using the structure “It is/was… that.”

• Example: “It was Mary who broke the vase.”
  
• Explanation: Cleft sentences highlight a specific part of the sentence.
  

Exercises:

1. Transform these sentences into cleft sentences:
   
   • John solved the problem.
     
   • They arrived late at the party.
     
   • She bought a new car.
     
2. Create cleft sentences:
   
   • Emphasize who brought the book.
     
   • Emphasize when he finished the project.
     

Answer Key:

1. It was John who solved the problem.
   It was they who arrived late at the party.
   It was she who bought a new car.
   
2. It was Mary who brought the book.
   It was yesterday that he finished the project.
   

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