The it-cleft pattern is it plus be plus the focused element plus that or who plus the remainder, as in it was Sarah who discovered the mistake. When the focused element is a thing, place, time, or reason, only that is used, never who, as in it was in Paris that they first met.
Grammar Rule
The it-cleft pattern is It + be (is/was) + focused element + that/who + remainder. When the focused element is a person, either who or that can generally be used, though who is more natural. When the focused element is a thing, place, time, or reason, only that is used, never who.
It Is/Was… That/Who Information Structuring: Rules and Examples
| Focused element | Connector | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Person | who or that | It was Sarah who discovered the mistake. |
| Thing, place, time, reason | that only, never who | It was in Paris that they first met. |
Remember: Never drop that/who after the focused element, and use who only for people — everything else takes that.
Practice Test
Instructions
Answer each question in the test below using it is/was…that/who correctly for information structuring. 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.
C2-44 It Is/Was… That/Who Information Structuring
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the it-cleft pattern?
It + be (is/was) + focused element + that/who + remainder.
What connector is used when the focused element is a person?
Either who or that, though who is more natural, as in it was Sarah who discovered the mistake.
What connector is used for a thing, place, time, or reason?
Only that, never who, as in it was in Paris that they first met.
Can that or who be dropped after the focused element?
No, never drop that/who after the focused element.