Choosing Between It-Clefts and What-Clefts

Both structures add emphasis — but to different things.

Notice

  • It was the deadline that stressed me out. (emphasises a specific noun)
  • What stressed me out was the deadline. (emphasises the whole idea/topic)
  • It was John who called. (emphasises the person)
  • What John did was call the office directly. (emphasises the action)

Rule

Use an it-cleft to single out one specific piece of information (a person, time, place, or thing) and often to contrast it with something else. Use a what-cleft to emphasise an action, need, or an entire idea, often at the start of a sentence to set up your main point.

Practice

  1. Which is more natural to introduce a strong opinion: an it-cleft or a what-cleft?
    Answer: A what-cleft (e.g. “What I think is…”).
  2. Rewrite as an it-cleft, emphasising ‘the manager’: ‘The manager rejected the proposal.’
    Answer: It was the manager who rejected the proposal.
  3. Rewrite as a what-cleft: ‘I want more flexibility at work.’
    Answer: What I want is more flexibility at work.
  4. Correct the error: ‘What was frustrating was that nobody replied.’ — is this correct?
    Answer: Yes, it’s correct — a what-cleft emphasising the whole situation.

Connect

Practise choosing between it-clefts and what-clefts.

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CEFR: Reading — follow subtle differences in emphasis in written arguments.

Azizul Hakim
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