CLEFT SENTENCES WITH

“WHAT”
 CLEFT SENTENCES WITH WHAT
You can form a cleft sentence using a noun clause with what as the subject +
a form of be. Be sure the form of the verb be agrees with its complement.

What bothers me is getting interrupted when I’m speaking.

What surprised me were the many “thank you” e-mails I received.
What I need is a cup of coffee.
 CLEFT SENTENCES WITH WHAT
Cleft sentences with what often have a subject complement that is a noun
clause, if so always use the singular form of the verb be.
Cleft sentences with What are often used to clarify what someone said,
thought, or meant.

What bothered me the most was (that) you didn’t even apologize.
What was surprising was (that) she had completely cleaned up her bedroom.
What I’m trying to say is (that) I am really sorry.

• A: Were you surprised that Rob called you after your argument?
• B: Actually, what surprised me was that he was even willing to talk to me!
 CLEFT SENTENCES WITH WHAT
She really enjoyed the movie.
PRACTICE
What she enjoyed was the movie.

She really enjoyed watching the movie.

What she really enjoyed was watching the movie.

She really enjoyed the two movies that we watched.

What she really enjoyed were the two movies we watched.

She really enjoyed that I invited her to watch the movie.

What she really loved was that I invited her to watch the movie.
 CLEFT SENTENCES WITH IT

A cleft sentence with the impersonal it emphasizes a noun or a noun phrase.

Use a noun clause with who, that or where.

Valerie decided to talk to our boss.

It was Valerie who decided to talk to our boss.

Jack’s jokes make people uncomfortable.

It’s Jack’s jokes that make people uncomfortable.
 CLEFT SENTENCES WITH IT
Cleft sentences with It are used to clarify who, what, when, where, or why.

• A: Did you try calling me a few minutes ago? Your number popped up in my
missed calls.
• B: Actually, it was my sister who called you. She was using my phone.
(clarifies who)

• A: Our neighbor had a great party last night. But I have to say, the noise
really got to me.
• B: Well, it was not getting an invitation that really bugged me. (clarifies what)
 CLEFT SENTENCES WITH IT
• A: Don’t I see you in the computer lab on Mondays?
• B: I doubt it. It’s usually on Tuesdays and Thursdays that I go to the lab.
(clarifies when)

• A: Did you hear about the bus accident this morning?

• B: Yeah. And it was just down the street from me where it happened!
(clarifies where)

• A: Thanks for helping me with the homework.

• B: Well, it’s because you’re always so nice that I did it. (clarifies why)
 CLEFT SENTENCES WITH IT
The way you spoke to me this morning hurt my feelings.
It was the way you spoke to me this morning that hurt my feelings.

Gina wrote that song

It was Gina who wrote that song.

I love to go to the beach in Summer.

It is in Summer that I love going to the beach.
It is the beach where I love going in summer.