Grammar

B2+
cleft sentences
for emphasis
Recommended for:
Gold Experience
Focus
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2019 1
 What is a cleft sentence?

There are many different types of cleft sentences, but let’s look at two in particular:
1. Inversions with certain negative adverbs and phrases.
2. Cleft sentences introduced with What.

When and why do we

use them?

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 Function: When do we use them?
Look at the two pairs of examples and answer the questions.

A. I have never told a lie.

B. Never have I told a lie.

A. Mary really adores dogs.

B. What Mary really adores is dogs.

In which sentence is
Which sentence (A or
there more focus on
B) is stronger or has
WHAT is adored rather
more emphasis?
than WHO adores it?

Sentence B Sentence B
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 Function: When do we use them?
For emphasis and to focus attention on a specific thing or person.

By moving the negative

adverb to the beginning
of the sentence, it gives
it emphasis.
A. I have never told a lie.
B. Never have I told a lie.
Pronunciation is
important here. We
would usually stress the
negative adverb.
A. Mary really adores dogs.
B. What Mary really adores is dogs.
By moving around the
word order in a
sentence, we can focus
attention on different
parts. How do we use them?

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 Form: How do we use them?
1. Inversions with negative adverbs
Look at these two examples again. Both sentences are
in present perfect
simple. Which is the
have
auxiliary verb?

What/who is the
subject of the
A. I have never told a lie. I sentences?
B. Never have I told a lie.
In example B, where
in the sentence is
the negative
At the
adverb/phrase?
beginning

What happens to
the word order of
They the auxiliary verb This is why they are
become and the subject? called inversions.
inverted
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 Form: 1. inversions
We use inversions after certain negative adverbs or phrases like this:
Notice the negative
words/phrases are
all at the beginning
of the sentence.

negative auxiliary verb subject main verb complement Notice that with
adverbs simple tenses (present
and past), we add the
Nowhere in the can you use US dollars. auxiliary verb before
UK inverting. The main
verb is in the infinitive.
Not only does she speak Spanish, but
also French.
At no time did they mention the exam
Here is the inversion
results. (the auxiliary verb
Never has he told a lie. and the subject)...

In no way was Thomas wrong.

Don’t forget to
consider...
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 Form: inversions – things to remember
● The auxiliary verbs which need to be added in the simple tenses are do/does in
the present or did in the past.
● A not only phrase is usually completed by but also.

negative auxiliary verb subject main verb complement

adverbs
Nowhere in can you use US dollars.
the UK
Not only does she speak Spanish, but also
French.
At no time did they mention the exam results.
Never has he told a lie.
In no way was Thomas wrong.

What about cleft

sentences with what?
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 Form: How do I use them?
2. Cleft sentences with What
Look at these two examples again.
In example B, what word
is added to the
beginning of the
sentence?

A. Mary really adores dogs. What

B. What Mary really adores is dogs.

What word is added

before the object?

is
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 Form: 2. cleft sentences with What
What subject clause to be object clause

What Mary really adores is dogs.

What she said was she’d be late.

What Daniel wants is a new guitar.

Notice how these parts are added

in cleft sentences.
Mary really adores dogs. vs
What Mary really adores is dogs. Let’s practise...

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 Practice activities
Rewrite these sentences using the words in capitals.

1. Helen speaks about her job all the time. WHAT

What Helen speaks about all the time is her job.
2. There is no way that Andrew earns so much money. DOES
No way does Andrew earn so much money.
3. Sam has visited Brazil and Argentina. NOT ONLY
Not only Sam visited Brazil, but also Argentina.
4. Eddie didn’t find the money anywhere. DID
Nowhere did Eddie find the money.
5. Angie and Tim adored their dog more than anything. WAS
What Angie and Tim adored more than anything was their dog.

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