Cleft sentences split one idea into two clauses to highlight key information: it wasn’t until plus clause plus that delays an event, what plus clause plus is/was plus complement fronts a discovery with the verb agreeing with the complement, and the reason why…is (that) should never add because afterward.
Grammar Rule
It wasn’t until plus clause plus that plus clause delays an event and always uses that, never when/which. What plus clause plus is/was plus complement fronts a discovery; is/was must agree with the complement, not with what. The reason why… is (that)… should never add because after is — that’s redundant. All plus subject plus want(s) plus is plus complement takes a singular verb.
Advanced Cleft Sentences: Rules and Examples
| Pattern | Rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
| It wasn’t until + clause + that… | connector must be that | It wasn’t until results came back that doctors confirmed it. |
| What… is/was + complement | verb agrees with the complement | What scientists discovered was a new species. |
| The reason why… is (that) | never add because after is | The reason why the merger failed is that regulators blocked it. |
Remember: Keep that after it wasn’t until, and match is/was to the complement, not to what or all.
Practice Test
Instructions
Answer each question in the test below using advanced cleft sentences correctly. You will get a new random set of questions every time you retake the test, plus a downloadable results summary with your name and score at the end.
C1-06 Advanced Cleft Sentences
No necesitas registrarte para empezar. Al finalizar verás tu calificación de inmediato, y si quieres podrás agregar tu nombre para personalizar y descargar tu resultado.
Frequently Asked Questions
What connector follows it wasn’t until?
Always that, never when or which, as in it wasn’t until results came back that doctors confirmed it.
What does the verb agree with in what…is/was + complement?
The complement, not with what, as in what scientists discovered was a new species.
Can you add because after the reason why…is?
No, adding because after is would be redundant.
What verb form follows all plus subject plus want(s) plus is?
A singular verb, since all plus want(s) is takes singular agreement.