Mastering Cleft Sentences for IELTS Writing

Cleft Sentences

Rule Explanation

Cleft sentences split a simple sentence into two parts in order to emphasize a particular piece of information. This structure is especially valuable in IELTS Writing for adding variety and focusing the reader’s attention on the most important element.

There are two main types:

1. It-cleft (emphasizes subjects or objects)
   • Pattern: It + [be verb] + [focused element] + that/who + [rest of clause].
   • Example: It was his determination that won the competition.
2. Wh-cleft (also called pseudo-cleft; emphasizes clauses)
   • Pattern: What/Where/Why + [clause] + [be verb] + [complement].
   • Example: What matters most is consistent practice.

Benefits:

• Draws attention to key ideas.
• Varies sentence openings for greater stylistic sophistication.
• Clarifies cause-and-effect relationships, which can boost coherence scores.

Step-by-step guide to forming an It-cleft:

1. Identify the element you want to emphasize (noun, noun phrase, or clause).
2. Start with “It is” or “It was” depending on tense.
3. Place the focused element immediately after the verb.
4. Add “that” (for objects) or “who” (for people).
5. Complete the main clause with the remaining information.

For a Wh-cleft:

1. Choose a Wh-word (what, where, why) based on the type of information.
2. Write the clause expressing the fact or idea.
3. Use the appropriate form of “be” to link to the complement.
4. Add the element you want to emphasize at the end.

Use cleft sentences sparingly to avoid overuse, and ensure each instance adds clear emphasis or clarity.

Examples

• Correct: It was the community’s effort that transformed the neighborhood.
  Explanation: Emphasizes “the community’s effort” as the agent of change.

• Correct: What I appreciate most is feedback that is specific and actionable.
  Explanation: Highlights “feedback that is specific and actionable” as the preferred type.

• Correct: It is through collaboration that teams achieve the best results.
  Explanation: Stresses the role of collaboration in achieving success.

• Common mistakes to avoid:

  • “It was to improve accuracy that the tool was designed.” (awkward placement of infinitive).
  • “What you should do is to study regularly.” (redundant infinitive after “is”).
  • “It is practice that helps improving skills.” (incorrect gerund form; should be “helps improve").

Example sentences in context

• It was her clear thesis statement that convinced the examiner.
• What remains unclear is the main objective of the study.

Practice Question

Choose the correct option to complete the following sentence:

1. _____ her dedication that led to her success.

A) What
B) It
C) It was
D) That

Show Answer

Answer: C) It was
Explanation: This is an It-cleft structure. “It was her dedication…” emphasizes dedication as the key factor.

Key Takeaways

• Use cleft sentences to emphasize key information in your IELTS writing.
• Distinguish between It-cleft and Wh-cleft forms for clarity and style.
• Avoid common pitfalls like misplaced infinitives or incorrect forms.
• Practice sentence structure suggestions with Lingo Copilot