Form
It + be + Emphasized Part + that + Clause
(To focus on one specific piece of information)
Normal: John broke the window.
Emphasis on Subject: It was John that broke the window.
Normal: She bought the car last week.
Emphasis on Time: It was last week that she bought the car.
Meanings
To focus the listener’s attention on new or important information.
‘Cleft’ means ‘divided’. We divide a normal sentence into two clauses to put one part in the spotlight.
- Sentence: Maria gave the keys to Paul yesterday.
- Focus on Maria: It was Maria who gave the keys…
- Focus on the keys: It was the keys that Maria gave…
- Focus on Paul: It was to Paul that Maria gave…