8.5 Cleft Sentences

8.5 Cleft Sentences

Cleft sentences - zdania rozszczepione

They are complex sentences that are used to emphasise one particular part of a sentence. Depending on what we want to express, we can do it in various ways. Let's see how it works:)

Relative clause starting with:

• The person who/that broke the vase was Tom.

• The thing (that/which) was broken was the vase.

• The place where we went on holiday was Greece.

• The day (when/that) I have to go to the doctor is Friday.

• The reason why I call is to inform you about the event.

It + be + phrase + relative clause (IT IS/WAS ... THAT)

• It was Tom who/that broke the vase.

• It was the vase that/which was broken (not the plate).

• It was in the sink that the vase broke into pieces.

• It's on Friday that I have to call my doctor.

• It's to schedule an appointment that I have to call the dentist.

The thing(s) that = What/All

• The thing that/which Tom broke was the vase.

• What Tom broke was the vase.

• All Tom broke was the vase.

• The thing that/which Tom broke was the vase.

• What Tom broke was the vase.

• All Tom broke was the vase.

What + subject + do/does/did + (to) infinitive

• What Zenek did was (to) go outside with lads when he was supposed to study.

• What you should do is enjoy your free time.

• What he did was (to) break into the neighbours shed.

• All he did was (to) eat the cake.

What happens is (that).../ What happens was (that)...

• What happened was that Tom broke the vase.

• What happens is that we just want to go back to school!