Cleft Sentences

Definition

Cleft sentences are a type of sentence structure that allows the speaker to emphasize a particular element by splitting the sentence into two clauses. This construction helps to highlight given and new information, making it clear which part of the sentence is most important. Cleft sentences often take the form 'It is/was X that Y' or 'What Y is X,' which helps draw attention to specific details or ideas within the sentence.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Cleft sentences can be used to change the focus of a statement, allowing speakers to manage how information is presented.
2. They often serve to clarify relationships between parts of the information by providing a framework for both given and new information.
3. Cleft sentences can be especially useful in spoken language where emphasis can enhance clarity or persuasion.
4. The two main types of cleft sentences are 'It-clefts' and 'wh-clefts', each serving to structure information in slightly different ways.
5. Using cleft sentences can help avoid ambiguity by clearly marking which part of the sentence carries the most significance.

Review Questions

• How do cleft sentences facilitate the distinction between given and new information in communication?
  • Cleft sentences help clarify the distinction between given and new information by allowing speakers to emphasize specific elements of their statements. By structuring the sentence as 'It is/was X that Y' or 'What Y is X,' speakers can clearly indicate which part of the sentence contains familiar information (the given) and which part introduces something new. This makes it easier for listeners to process the message and understand its importance.
• Discuss how focus techniques, like cleft sentences, impact the way speakers convey their messages.
  • Focus techniques like cleft sentences significantly impact message delivery by allowing speakers to control which information stands out. Cleft sentences shift emphasis onto particular elements, enhancing clarity and persuasive power. This structured approach helps listeners identify key points quickly, making it easier for them to grasp complex ideas and relationships within the spoken discourse.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of using cleft sentences compared to other emphasis techniques in written versus spoken language contexts.
  • Evaluating cleft sentences reveals their effectiveness as an emphasis technique varies between written and spoken contexts. In spoken language, cleft sentences provide immediate clarity and emphasis, helping listeners grasp main ideas quickly during real-time conversations. However, in written language, while they can still highlight important information, other techniques such as bullet points or headings may serve better for organization and ease of understanding. Ultimately, choosing between cleft sentences and other methods depends on the context and goals of communication.

Related terms

Information Structure:

The organization of information in a sentence, distinguishing between what is known (given information) and what is new or emphasized.

Focus: The linguistic mechanism that highlights or emphasizes certain elements within a sentence, guiding the listener's attention.

Dislocation: A grammatical structure that separates a constituent from its usual position in a sentence, often to give it more prominence.