You know how to make correct sentences, but now it’s time to make them powerful. This toolkit of advanced structures—cleft sentences, inversion, and fronting—gives you the power to control your listener’s focus, add drama, and emphasize exactly what you want. This is the art of turning simple statements into memorable, impactful communication. 📣
Function & Usage
These techniques all rearrange a standard sentence to put a “spotlight” on a particular piece of information.
- Cleft Sentences (It was… / What I need is…): These “split” a sentence to highlight one part. Use “It was…” to focus on the doer/time/place, and “What…” to focus on the action or object.
Example: “It was Maria who solved the problem.” (Focus on Maria). - Inversion (Never have I… / Not only did he…): By starting a sentence with a negative or limiting phrase, you create a formal and dramatic effect by inverting the subject and auxiliary verb.
Example: “Never have I seen such a beautiful sight.” (More dramatic than “I have never seen…”). - Fronting: Moving a phrase that usually belongs at the end of a sentence to the beginning to establish it as the topic.
Example: “That question, I’m not prepared to answer.” (Focus on the question).
The Structure (Form)
Each technique follows a specific pattern of rearrangement.
| Technique | Standard Sentence | Emphatic Form |
|---|---|---|
| ‘It’ Cleft | John left the keys on the table. | It was John who left the keys on the table. |
| ‘What’ Cleft | I need a cup of coffee. | What I need is a cup of coffee. |
| Inversion | I had no sooner arrived than it started raining. | No sooner had I arrived than it started raining. |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Forgetting to Invert: After a negative adverbial like “Not only,” you must switch the subject and auxiliary verb. Incorrect: “Not only he passed…” Correct: “Not only did he pass…”
- Incorrect Verb Agreement in Clefts: The verb `to be` in a ‘What’ cleft is usually singular. Incorrect: “What I want are the keys.” Correct: “What I want is the keys.”
Let’s see it in action! 🎬
Person A: Did you say you wanted tea?
Person B: No, what I said was that I wanted coffee. And I need it now!
Manager: The presentation was fantastic!
Employee: Thank you. Not only did we finish on time, but we also secured the new contract.
Friend 1: I can’t believe what he did. His behavior I can understand, but his words I cannot forgive.
Friend 2: I agree. It was his dishonesty that was the most shocking part.
Check Your Understanding! ✅
1. my sister who won the prize, not me.
2. Never before witnessed such a performance.
3. What I need right now a short break.
4. Not only finish the race, but he also broke the record.
5. , I cannot agree with.
6. ___ I really admire is her dedication.
7. No sooner ___ arrived than the problems started.
8. It was in London ___ they first met.
9. Rarely ___ such a clear and logical explanation.
10. “I can’t stand his attitude.” → (Fronting for emphasis)
