The first three examples describe the same repair but answer different questions: who did it, what was repaired, and when? An it-cleft brings the selected information into focus.
The idea
Use It + be + focused information + that/who + the rest. Who can replace that for a person. A time or place phrase can also be the focus. Put not after be to reject a focus, or invert be and it to ask a question.
Examples
- It was Mina who repaired the handle.
- It was the handle that Mina repaired.
- It was on Tuesday that Mina repaired the handle.
- It wasn't the price that worried us; it was the weight.
- Was it Omar who found the key?
- It's the rear entrance that visitors should use.
Read-aloud uses a synthetic English voice on your device. Quality and availability vary; it does not assess pronunciation.
No English device voice is available. You can still read the examples.
Watch out
Do not repeat the focused subject or object inside the following clause: use It was Mina who repaired it, not who she repaired it, and It was the handle that Mina repaired, not that Mina repaired it.
Try it yourself
Choose the correct option. It was Mina ___ repaired the handle. (who / which)
Show answer or example answer
who
Who refers to the person Mina and supplies the subject of repaired. Which is not the person reference needed here.
Choose the correct option. It was the handle that Mina ___. (repaired / repaired it)
Show answer or example answer
repaired
The handle is already the focused object. Use repaired without an extra it in the following clause.
It was on Tuesday that Mina repaired the handle. Which information is in focus? (on Tuesday / Mina)
Show answer or example answer
on Tuesday
On Tuesday comes after It was and is the focus. Mina is still the repairer, but the sentence highlights when it happened.
Practice round
Answer questions and rebuild English sentences to practise. Your score is shown.
Choose the correct option. It was Mina ___ repaired the handle. (who / which)
Choose the correct option. It was the handle that Mina ___. (repaired / repaired it)
It was on Tuesday that Mina repaired the handle. Which information is in focus? (on Tuesday / Mina)
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Keep your progress
Sign up for free to save your practice results.
Sign up to saveI already have an accountUse it today
Write one ordinary sentence about someone finding something yesterday. Make three it-clefts that focus on the finder, the thing and the time. Explain which question each version answers.