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Definition
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A cleft sentence is a complex
sentence in which a simple
sentence is expressed using a main
clause and a subordinate
clause. In English the prototypical cleft sentence has the following
form: |
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· it + be + X + subordinate
clause
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X can be a constituent
of one of many varieties. |
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Discussion
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X and the subordinate clause together carry the same meaning as their
corresponding simple
sentence. However, the primary focus of the cleft construction is on an
element, often marked by intonation, that introduces new information. This
element appears either as X or in the subordinate clause. |
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Example (English)
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· No, it is his callousness that I shall
ignore.
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Its corresponding simple sentence is No, I shall ignore his
callousness. The primary focus of the cleft sentence may be marked by
intonation, as in following sentences: |
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Generic
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A cleft sentence is a kind of
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