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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Focus

In the hand of a typical it-cleft structure, the focus is on the complement of it-clause.

1. It was David who called.

2. It was impossible to say hello to everyone.

However, in another hand of an anticipatory structure, the focus is at the end because it enables a subject to appear at the end of a clause.

3. It was wrong paying $25 a week.

For sentence 2 & 3, There is a clash in each since it-cleft structure is the same as anticipatory structure.

Does the focus is on the adjectives or the rear subjects?

Thank you.
  

Top answer

Creating focus and moving the focus toward the end of the sentence are the same process, if I understand your question aright. Focus: 1. David 2.

  • Creating focus and moving the focus toward the end of the sentence are the same process, if I understand your question aright.
  • Focus: 1.
  • David 2.
  • say hello 3.
  • paying $25
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3 Answers
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Creating focus and moving the focus toward the end of the sentence are the same process, if I understand your question aright.

Focus:

1. David
2. say hello
3. paying $25
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To say hello to everyone was impossible.

Paying $25 a week was wrong.

How about changing the structure into a sentence of raised subject?

Is the focus/emphasis on the raised subject or the adjective?

Thank you.
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English emphasis comes at the end. The beginning is just an introduction to the topic.

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