It's the emphasis that matters
A one‑to‑one lesson on cleft sentences — how English speakers split an ordinary sentence in two to spotlight exactly the piece of information they want heard.
What's the important word?
Before any rule, train the ear. Read each sentence aloud once, naturally. Then click the single word that carries the main stress — the word you'd lean on if you said it out loud.
Cleaving a sentence in two
A "cleft" sentence takes one plain statement and cleaves — splits — it into two clauses, so one piece of information gets its own spotlight.
The new pricing model worried the client.
It was the new pricing modelthat worried the client.
Complete the cleft
Type one word in each gap: it, what, all, that, or was/is. Press Enter or click Check.
Rewrite for emphasis
Rewrite each flat sentence as a cleft sentence, following the hint. There's no single "correct" wording — say your version aloud, then reveal a model answer to compare.
Boardroom debrief
Pick a card. Respond out loud in full sentences, using at least one it‑cleft and one what‑cleft. I'll note useful language as you speak — we'll review it together after.
Edit a real email
This client email is flat and buries the key point. Click the underlined sentence, then rewrite it underneath as a cleft sentence that puts the real issue front and center.
I wanted to flag a few things after the client call this morning. The delayed shipment caused the client's frustration, not the product quality.
They've asked for a revised timeline by Friday. Let me know if that's realistic.
Best,
Mara