CLEFT SENTENCES

WHAT IS IT?
They help us focus on a particular part of the sentence
Useful for giving emphasis
Similar to relative clauses
Useful in writing

We now need actions rather than words.

What we now need are actions rather than words.
BASIC STRUCTURE
Everything is put into the relative-like clause except the object of
emphasis
Linked by verb to be
LENGTHY CONTENT
OTHER WH- WORDS
When using who, where, when we must include a noun phrase such as

the/a person WHO:

Michael Jackson thrilled his audiences.
Michael Jackson was a person who thrilled his audiences.
the/a place WHERE/WHICH:
Michael Jackson lived on Neverland Ranch.
Neverland Ranch was the place where Michael Jackson lived.
the/a year/month/time WHEN
Michael Jackson performed "Thriller" in 1982.
?______________________________________
IT CLAUSES
IT + PREDICATE + THAT + CONTENT
TRY IT YOURSELF
The J Street Band got together in an interesting manner.
Lead singer Jeremy put the band together. He held a blind
audition for interested musicians. The person he chose was
surprising. He selected a guitarist who was a 70-years
old. His age made no differencethe guy rocked!
What makes a band successful is hard to say. That the fans
like the band's songs and style matters most. Both talent and
hard work are required. Most people don't realize how long
musicians work in the shadows before achieving recognition.