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Anonymous Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Cleft sentences

Hi everyone, I have some doubts as far as cleft sentences are concerned. I give you these sentences, and my attempts. Information to be emphasized is written in CAPITAL LETTERS.

1) My sister got the cat drunk on WHISKY at the party yesterday.
The alcohol that my sister got the dog drunk on at the party yesterday was whisky.
2) I’m turning into AN INTELLECTUAL.
It is intellectual what I’m turning into.
3) My mother LET THE CAT OUT OF THE COAL SHED.
What my mother did was let the CAT out of the coal shed.

Hope you can help me,
Best regards
  

Top answer

Point 1: Such cleft sentences are rarely used and almost always sound awkward or ridiculous. A bad assignment is what it is. Point 2: Emphasis normally comes at the end of a sentence.

  • Point 1: Such cleft sentences are rarely used and almost always sound awkward or ridiculous.
  • A bad assignment is what it is.
  • Point 2: Emphasis normally comes at the end of a sentence.
  • Where are your emphases in your #s 2 and 3?
  • Point 3: As for #1, it would be less painful to do it this way: What my sister got the dog drunk on at the party yesterday was WHISKY.
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3 Answers
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Point 1: Such cleft sentences are rarely used and almost always sound awkward or ridiculous. A bad assignment is what it is.

Point 2: Emphasis normally comes at the end of a sentence. Where are your emphases in your #s 2 and 3?

Point 3: As for #1, it would be less painful to do it this way: What my sister got the dog drunk on at the party yesterday was WHISKY.
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Thanks, any more suggestions?
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Yes, please try to fix 2 and 3 according to what I've told you.

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