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LESSON 9
Cleft sentences
Put the spotlight on one idea: “What I need is more time.”
01
The idea
A cleft sentence splits one idea into two parts to emphasise the important part. It is natural in speech and strong in persuasive writing.
What-clefts: What I need is a quiet room. It-clefts: It was the price that surprised me. Others: All I want is…, The reason I am writing is that…, The thing I like most is…. After the reason, use that, not because.
The pattern
- What + subject + verb + is / was + focus
- It is / was + focus + that / who + clause
- The reason (why) + clause + is that + clause
- All / The thing + clause + is + focus
The rest of this lesson is in the full plan.
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