Page 3 - SUPPLEMENTARY GRADE 12 UNIT 3

Important Notes:

a. When a personal subject is the focus, we can use who instead of that. We often omit who in
informal situations when it is the object of the verb:

Ex: It was my husband who (or that) you spoke to on the phone.

(or It was my husband you spoke to on the phone.)
b. When a plural subject is the focus, we use a plural verb but It + be remains singular:

Ex: It’s the parents who were protesting most.
c. We can use negative structures in the it-clause:

Ex: It wasn’t the Greek student who phoned.

It-Cleft sentences are created based on which part of the sentence that needs to be emphasized.
Check the table below!

SENTENCE Mike took Sally to the party on Saturday.

EMPHASIS ON THE SUBJECT It was Mike who took Sally to the party on Saturday.

EMPHASIS ON THE OBJECT It was Sally that Mike took to the party on Saturday.

EMPHASIS ON THE ADVERBIAL It was on Saturday that Mike took Sally to the party.

EMPHASIS ON THE PREP. PHRASE It was to the party that Mike took Sally on Saturday.

Now, Let’s do the exercise.

Create the It-cleft sentences based on its emphasis.

1. Clarice met John in a party that was held by her company. (Subject)

2. Jack called Jess to arrange a business meeting for next week. (Object)

3. Billy was late to inform me about today’s meeting. (Prep.Phrase)

4. Patrick said that he would go to a eco convention following month. (Adverbial)

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