grammar · neutral

It + be + N + that + S + V (cleft sentence)

Band 4-5speakingtask2

A cleft sentence structure used to focus attention on a particular element (usually a noun phrase): It was X that Y.

Examples

“It was the poor planning that caused the project to fail.”

“It was Maria who first suggested the idea.”

“It is the lack of funding that prevents the scheme from continuing.”

Band 8 sentence

“It was the government's inconsistent policies that undermined investor confidence and slowed economic recovery.”

Collocations

  • It was + NP + that + clause
  • It is + emphasised element + that/who + verb

Common mistakes

It was who suggested the idea.→It was Maria who suggested the idea.

It was the decision that they canceled the project.→It was the decision that led them to cancel the project.

Say it for a higher band

5The lack of X caused Y→6It is X that ... (basic)→7+It + be + N + that + S + V (cleft sentence)

Synonyms

focus construction

Easily confused

pseudo-cleft (what + clause + is + NP)

“What I need most is more time to revise.”

Related words

defining vs non-defining relative clauses (use of commas and that/which/who), who + Vthe + superlative + N + (that) + S + Veach of whom + V, which is why + S + VIndefinite pronouns + who/that + V (someone/anyone/anything + who/that)the majority of + N + who + Vthose who + V

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In Relative clauses

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