CLEFT SENTENCES Made Easy | All 6 Types Explained
Direct link to YouTube video: https://youtu.be/zubBOxy6Qu4
Explanations + Extra Activities (scroll down)
🧩 How to Make Cleft Sentences in English
Cleft sentences are used to emphasize part of a sentence.
The word “cleft” means split.
So a cleft sentence splits one simple sentence into two parts to make something sound more important, emotional, or clear.
💡 1. It-Clefts
🔹 Structure:
It + be + emphasized part + (that/who) + rest of the sentence
We use this type when we want to highlight one specific part (subject, object, place, time, or reason).
🧠 Example 1
Original: Sarah baked the cake.
Cleft: It was Sarah who baked the cake.
👉 Emphasis: Sarah (not someone else)
🧠 Example 2
Original: He bought a car yesterday.
Cleft: It was yesterday that he bought a car.
👉 Emphasis: Yesterday
🧠 Example 3
Original: They met in Paris.
Cleft: It was in Paris that they met.
👉 Emphasis: Place
🧠 Example 4
Original: I couldn’t sleep because of the noise.
Cleft: It was because of the noise that I couldn’t sleep.
👉 Emphasis: Reason
🧠 Example 5
Original: My teacher helped me the most.
Cleft: It was my teacher who helped me the most.
👉 Emphasis: My teacher
💡 2. Wh-Clefts (Pseudo-Clefts)
🔹 Structure:
What + clause + be + emphasized part
We use this type when we want to focus on the result, action, or thing that matters most.
🧠 Example 1
Original: I need a vacation.
Cleft: What I need is a vacation.
🧠 Example 2
Original: She loves chocolate.
Cleft: What she loves is chocolate.
🧠 Example 3
Original: We want to learn English.
Cleft: What we want is to learn English.
👉 These use “what” — the most common Wh-cleft word.
🔸 Other Wh-words can also be used, though less common:
🧠 Example 4
Original: You said something rude.
Cleft: Who said something rude was you.
🧠 Example 5
Original: We met at a small café.
Cleft: Where we met was at a small café.
🧠 Example 6
Original: I realized the truth at that moment.
Cleft: When I realized the truth was at that moment.
💡 3. Reversed Wh-Clefts (Inverted Pseudo-Clefts)
🔹 Structure:
Emphasized part + be + what/who + clause
This is like a Wh-cleft, but the order is reversed.
🧠 Example 1
Original: I want to see my family.
Cleft: My family is what I want to see.
🧠 Example 2
Original: I enjoy swimming the most.
Cleft: Swimming is what I enjoy the most.
🧠 Example 3
Original: I need honesty in my friends.
Cleft: Honesty is what I need in my friends.
🧠 Example 4 (Infinitive → Gerund switch)
Original: I want to travel the world.
Cleft: Traveling the world is what I want to do.
🧠 Example 5
Original: I love helping people.
Cleft: Helping people is what I love doing.
💡 4. All-Clefts
🔹 Structure:
All + clause + be + emphasized part
This type emphasizes “only” or “nothing more.”
🧠 Example 1
Original: I wanted to help you.
Cleft: All I wanted was to help you.
🧠 Example 2
Original: She said sorry.
Cleft: All she did was say sorry.
🧠 Example 3
Original: We need to study English.
Cleft: All we need is to study English.
🧠 Example 4
Original: They asked for information.
Cleft: All they asked for was information.
🧠 Example 5
Original: I want you to listen.
Cleft: All I want is for you to listen.
💡 5. There-Clefts
🔹 Structure:
There + be + emphasized part + who/that + rest of sentence
This type introduces new, surprising, or emotional information.
🧠 Example 1
Original: Two students arrived late.
Cleft: There were two students who arrived late.
🧠 Example 2
Original: Some people didn’t agree.
Cleft: There were some people who didn’t agree.
🧠 Example 3
Original: A noise woke me up.
Cleft: There was a noise that woke me up.
🧠 Example 4
Original: A student helped me after class.
Cleft: There was a student who helped me after class.
🧠 Example 5
Original: Many reasons made me move abroad.
Cleft: There were many reasons that made me move abroad.
💡 6. Th-Clefts
There are two main types:
🅰️ “The” Th-Clefts
🔹 Structure:
The + thing/fact/reason + (be) + clause
We use this type to emphasize a reason, fact, or thing.
🧠 Example 1
Original: He didn’t come because he was sick.
Cleft: The reason he didn’t come was that he was sick.
🧠 Example 2
Original: I don’t like him because he lies.
Cleft: The thing I don’t like about him is that he lies.
🧠 Example 3
Original: She became famous because of her songs.
Cleft: The fact that she became famous was because of her songs.
🧠 Example 4
Original: I left early because I was tired.
Cleft: The reason I left early was that I was tired.
🧠 Example 5
Original: They succeeded because they worked hard.
Cleft: The reason they succeeded was that they worked hard.
🅱️ “This/That” Th-Clefts
🔹 Structure:
This/That is + clause + (that/who) + clause
We use this type in spoken English to explain, emphasize, or react emotionally.
Let’s look at clear examples with “Previous / Simple / Th-Cleft” for easy understanding:
🧠 Example 1
Previous: “The battery on this phone lasts for days.”
Simple: I bought it for that reason.
Th-Cleft: → That’s why I bought it.
🧠 Example 2
Previous: “You never listen to me!”
Simple: That makes me upset.
Th-Cleft: → That’s what makes me upset.
🧠 Example 3
Previous: “My mom always supports me.”
Simple: She’s an amazing person.
Th-Cleft: → That’s who she is — an amazing person.
🧠 Example 4
Previous: “You keep talking while I’m working.”
Simple: It really annoys me.
Th-Cleft: → That’s what annoys me.
🧠 Example 5
Previous: “I lost all my data.”
Simple: It happened because I didn’t back it up.
Th-Cleft: → That’s how I lost everything.
🏁 Summary
| Type | Example | Emphasis |
|---|---|---|
| It-Cleft | It was John who broke the window. | John |
| Wh-Cleft | What I need is rest. | Rest |
| Reversed Wh-Cleft | Rest is what I need. | Rest |
| All-Cleft | All I did was call her. | Only action |
| There-Cleft | There was a woman who helped me. | Existence |
| The Th-Cleft | The reason I left was that I was tired. | Reason |
| This/That Th-Cleft | That’s what I mean — be patient. | Point or idea |
Extra Practice Activities
🧩 It-Cleft Practice Quiz
1. Sarah cooked dinner last night.
👉 Focus on the person (subject)
✅ It was Sarah who cooked dinner last night.
2. We met at the café.
👉 Focus on the place
✅ It was at the café that we met.
3. Tom called you this morning.
👉 Focus on the person (subject)
✅ It was Tom who called you this morning.
4. The noise woke me up.
👉 Focus on the cause
✅ It was the noise that woke me up.
5. They moved to Canada in 2022.
👉 Focus on the time
✅ It was in 2022 that they moved to Canada.
6. She borrowed my umbrella.
👉 Focus on the object
✅ It was my umbrella that she borrowed.
7. The teacher gave us extra homework.
👉 Focus on the person (subject)
✅ It was the teacher who gave us extra homework.
8. I saw him at the station.
👉 Focus on the place
✅ It was at the station that I saw him.
9. We started the project because of his idea.
👉 Focus on the reason
✅ It was because of his idea that we started the project.
10. My brother fixed the computer.
👉 Focus on the person (subject)
✅ It was my brother who fixed the computer.
🧩 Wh-Cleft (Pseudo-Cleft) Practice Quiz
1. I want a good night’s sleep.
👉 Focus on what the person wants
✅ What I want is a good night’s sleep.
2. She loves traveling the most.
👉 Focus on what she loves
✅ What she loves the most is traveling.
3. He needs some rest.
👉 Focus on what he needs
✅ What he needs is some rest.
4. They discovered a hidden cave.
👉 Focus on what they discovered
✅ What they discovered was a hidden cave.
5. We should learn from our mistakes.
👉 Focus on what we should do
✅ What we should do is learn from our mistakes.
6. The company needs better communication.
👉 Focus on what the company needs
✅ What the company needs is better communication.
7. I enjoy teaching English.
👉 Focus on what the person enjoys
✅ What I enjoy is teaching English.
8. We stayed there because it was peaceful.
👉 Focus on the reason
✅ Why we stayed there was because it was peaceful.
9. I met him at the library.
👉 Focus on the place
✅ Where I met him was at the library.
10. They moved to Japan last year.
👉 Focus on the time
✅ When they moved to Japan was last year.
🧩 Reversed Wh-Cleft (Inverted Pseudo-Cleft) Practice Quiz
1. I need more coffee in the morning.
👉 Focus on what is needed
✅ More coffee in the morning is what I need.
2. She enjoys painting landscapes.
👉 Focus on what she enjoys
✅ Painting landscapes is what she enjoys.
3. We should finish the project today.
👉 Focus on what should be done
✅ Finishing the project today is what we should do.
4. He loves reading mystery novels.
👉 Focus on what he loves
✅ Reading mystery novels is what he loves.
5. I want honesty in my friendships.
👉 Focus on what is wanted
✅ Honesty in my friendships is what I want.
6. They need a break from work.
👉 Focus on what they need
✅ A break from work is what they need.
7. She likes helping children.
👉 Focus on what she likes
✅ Helping children is what she likes.
8. I enjoy listening to classical music.
👉 Focus on what is enjoyed
✅ Listening to classical music is what I enjoy.
9. He wants to improve his English.
👉 Focus on what he wants
✅ Improving his English is what he wants.
10. We plan to visit Paris next summer.
👉 Focus on what is planned
✅ Visiting Paris next summer is what we plan to do.
🧩 All-Cleft Practice Quiz
1. I only wanted to help my friend.
👉 Focus on the only thing done
✅ All I wanted was to help my friend.
2. She said sorry after the argument.
👉 Focus on the only action done
✅ All she did was say sorry after the argument.
3. We need to study for the test.
👉 Focus on the only thing needed
✅ All we need is to study for the test.
4. He only wanted to win the race.
👉 Focus on the only desire
✅ All he wanted was to win the race.
5. I called my brother. That’s all.
👉 Focus on the only thing done
✅ All I did was call my brother.
6. They completed the project on time.
👉 Focus on the only thing done
✅ All they did was complete the project on time.
7. She just said thank you.
👉 Focus on the only thing said
✅ All she said was thank you.
8. We only cooked dinner last night.
👉 Focus on the only action done
✅ All we did was cook dinner last night.
9. I only made one mistake.
👉 Focus on the only thing made
✅ All I made was one mistake.
10. He only explained the rules. Nothing else.
👉 Focus on the only thing done
✅ All he did was explain the rules.
🧩 There-Cleft Practice Quiz
1. A man stole my wallet yesterday.
👉 Focus on the existence of someone
✅ There was a man who stole my wallet yesterday.
2. Some students didn’t submit their homework.
👉 Focus on the existence of some people
✅ There were some students who didn’t submit their homework.
3. A loud noise woke me up this morning.
👉 Focus on the existence of something
✅ There was a loud noise that woke me up this morning.
4. Someone left a gift on my desk.
👉 Focus on the existence of someone
✅ There was someone who left a gift on my desk.
5. A mistake happened during the presentation.
👉 Focus on the existence of something
✅ There was a mistake that happened during the presentation.
6. A new student joined our class today.
👉 Focus on the existence of someone
✅ There was a new student who joined our class today.
7. Some people disagreed with the decision.
👉 Focus on the existence of some people
✅ There were some people who disagreed with the decision.
8. An error appeared on the website.
👉 Focus on the existence of something
✅ There was an error that appeared on the website.
9. Someone is waiting outside.
👉 Focus on the existence of someone
✅ There is someone who is waiting outside.
10. A strange sound came from the attic.
👉 Focus on the existence of something
✅ There was a strange sound that came from the attic.
🧩 “The” Th-Cleft Practice Quiz
1. He didn’t come because he was sick.
👉 Focus: Reason
✅ The reason he didn’t come was that he was sick.
2. I met my best friend at the café yesterday.
👉 Focus: Place
✅ The place where I met my best friend was the café.
3. Sarah is the most helpful person in the team.
👉 Focus: Person
✅ The person who is the most helpful in the team is Sarah.
4. The sunset yesterday was amazing.
👉 Focus: Thing/Event
✅ The thing that was amazing yesterday was the sunset.
5. We had our first class at 9 AM.
👉 Focus: Time
✅ The time when we had our first class was 9 AM.
6. I started learning English because I want to travel.
👉 Focus: Reason
✅ The reason I started learning English was that I want to travel.
7. The Eiffel Tower is my favorite landmark.
👉 Focus: Thing/Place
✅ The place that is my favorite landmark is the Eiffel Tower.
8. Jane gave me advice that helped me a lot.
👉 Focus: Person/Thing
✅ The person who gave me helpful advice was Jane.
9. We had our meeting in the conference room.
👉 Focus: Place
✅ The place where we had our meeting was the conference room.
10. I finished my homework before dinner.
👉 Focus: Time
✅ The time when I finished my homework was before dinner.
“The” Th-Cleft Practice Quiz With Qualifiers
11. I went to Paris for the first time last year.
👉 Focus: The first experience/time
✅ The first time I went to Paris was last year.
12. He called me in the middle of the night.
👉 Focus: The last thing that happened
✅ The last thing he did was call me in the middle of the night.
13. She won her first award at 10 years old.
👉 Focus: The first achievement
✅ The first award she won was when she was 10 years old.
14. I saw the most amazing movie yesterday.
👉 Focus: The most impressive thing
✅ The most amazing thing I saw yesterday was the movie.
15. We had our final meeting yesterday.
👉 Focus: The last event
✅ The last meeting we had was yesterday.
🧩 “This/That” Th-Clefts Practice Quiz
1.
Previous: “The battery on this phone lasts for days.”
Simple: I bought it for that reason.
✅Th-Cleft: → That’s why I bought it.
2.
Previous: “The man in the blue hat is the director.”
Simple: He is in charge.
✅Th-Cleft: → That’s who is in charge.
3.
Previous: “The restaurant on Main Street is very popular.”
Simple: We went there for dinner.
✅Th-Cleft: → That’s where we went for dinner.
4.
Previous: “The power suddenly came back on at 2 AM.”
Simple: Everyone cheered then.
✅Th-Cleft: → That’s when everyone cheered.
5.
Previous: “The way she solved the puzzle amazed everyone.”
Simple: She solved the puzzle cleverly.
✅Th-Cleft: → That’s how she solved the puzzle.
6.
Previous: “I just need five more minutes to finish.”
Simple: I am only requesting that.
✅Th-Cleft: → That’s all I’m requesting.
7.
Previous: “The light blinks twice when it’s fully charged.”
Simple: You recognize a full charge by that.
✅Th-Cleft: → That’s how you know it’s fully charged.
8.
Previous: “The best coffee in town is at that little corner shop.”
Simple: We go there every morning.
✅Th-Cleft: → That’s where we go every morning.
9.
Previous: “You combine the two chemicals very slowly.”
Simple: You avoid an explosion that way.
✅Th-Cleft: → That’s how you avoid an explosion.
10.
Previous: “The reason I joined the photography club was to meet new people.”
Simple: I joined the club for that reason.
✅Th-Cleft: → That’s why I joined the photography club.