structures include the reason why, the thing that,
the person/people who, the place where, the day
when and what-clauses which are usually linked to the
clause that we want to focus on with is or was.
the following sets of sentences and notice how the cleft structure
in each case enables us to select the information we want to
come to discuss my future with you.
reason why I've come is to discuss my future with you.
generosity impresses more than anything else.
thing that impresses me more than anything else is your
jewels are hidden under the floor at 23 Robin Hood Road, Epping.
place where the jewels are hidden is under the floor
at 23 Robin Hood Road, Epping.
the floor at 23 Robin Hood Road is the place where the
jewels are hidden.
works harder than anybody else in this organisation.
person who works harder than anybody else in this organisation
is the person in this organisation who works harder
than anybody else.
Second World War ended on 7 May 1945 in Europe.
day (when) the Second World War ended in Europe was 7
May 1945 was the day (when) the Second World War ended
now need actions rather than words.
we now need are actions rather than words.
rather than words are what we now need.
enjoyed the brilliant music most of all in the Ballet Frankfurt
I enjoyed most in the Ballet Frankfurt performance was
the brilliant music.
brilliant music was what I enjoyed most in the Ballet Frankfurt
from the last two examples that cleft structures with what-clauses
are often used with verbs expressing an emotive response to
something like adore, dislike, enjoy, hate,
like, loathe, love, need, prefer,