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A cleft sentence takes a simple sentence and splits ("clefts") it into two clauses to emphasize a specific piece of information. Think of it like a spotlight: instead of saying "Maria solved the puzzle first," you restructuring it to pull "Maria" into sharp focus. Banner 1: IT-Cleft Sentences

Formula: It + be + focused item (noun/pronoun) + relative clause (that/who/which...)

• It was Maria who solved the puzzle first.
• It is the climate that attracts so many visitors here.
• It was their negligence that caused the equipment to malfunction.
• It is my brother who handles all the negotiations.
• It was this gesture that restored everyone’s confidence.

Banner 2: WH-Cleft Clauses

Formula: WH-word (How/Why/Where...) + clause + verb + complement

Note: These act as nominal relative clauses functioning as the subject of the main verb.

• How she managed to escape remains a mystery.
• Why they chose that route is still unclear.
• Where the documents were taken has yet to be determined.
• How the tradition survived through centuries fascinates historians.
• Why the experiment failed is something we must analyse further.