Chapter 3 · English Grammar

Cleft Sentences, Ellipsis & Substitution

Advanced ⏱ 40–50 minutes 🎓 Grade 11

What you will be able to do

  • Form it-cleft sentences for emphasis
  • Form what-cleft (pseudo-cleft) sentences
  • Use ellipsis to omit repeated elements
  • Use substitution with do/does/did, so and not
  • Write economically without losing clarity

1 Quick Introduction

English

Three devices let you control emphasis and economy. A cleft sentence splits one idea to spotlight a part ('It was Ram who broke it'). Ellipsis leaves out words the reader can supply ('She can sing and (she can) dance'). Substitution replaces a phrase with a small word ('I think so'). Together they make writing both forceful and concise.

हिन्दी

तीन युक्तियाँ आपको बल और संक्षिप्तता पर नियंत्रण देती हैं। cleft sentence एक विचार को बाँटकर किसी भाग पर ध्यान केंद्रित करता है ('It was Ram who broke it')। Ellipsis उन शब्दों को छोड़ देता है जिन्हें पाठक स्वयं समझ ले ('She can sing and (she can) dance')। Substitution एक वाक्यांश को छोटे शब्द से बदल देता है ('I think so')। मिलकर ये लेखन को सशक्त और संक्षिप्त बनाते हैं।

2 A Real-Life Situation

Imagine this

Three ways to say the same thing:

Plain: I need rest most of all.

Cleft: What I need most is rest.

Why this form? The what-cleft pushes 'rest' to the end, where it lands with emphasis. Writers and speakers use clefts to highlight exactly the word that matters — a skill prized in essays and debate.

3 The Grammar Rule

Rule & Formula
DeviceFormExample
It-cleftIt + be + X + who/that…It was John who called.
What-cleftWhat … + be + XWhat I need is rest.
Ellipsisomit repeated wordsShe can sing and (can) dance.
Substitutiondo/so/notHe works hard and so do I.
Cleft = split to emphasise · Ellipsis = omit · Substitution = replace
It was rest that I needed. = What I needed was rest.

4 Cleft Sentences (It-Cleft & What-Cleft)

A cleft sentence divides one clause into two to emphasise a particular part.

It-cleft: It + be + (emphasised part) + who/that/which + rest.

  • John called yesterday. → It was John who called yesterday. (emphasis on John)
  • → It was yesterday that John called. (emphasis on the time)

What-cleft (pseudo-cleft): What + clause + be + (emphasised part).

  • I want peace. → What I want is peace.
  • She did her best. → What she did was (to) do her best.

Clefts answer 'which one exactly?' — they pinpoint the key information for the reader.

Visual — Cleft Sentences (It-Cleft & What-Cleft)
A cleft spotlights one partIt was Ram who broke the window.emphasis falls on 'Ram'
1
Worked Example
Make an it-cleft emphasising 'the manager': The manager approved the plan.
Solution

It was the manager who approved the plan.

2
Worked Example
Make a what-cleft: I admire her honesty.
Solution

What I admire is her honesty.

Key Points

  • It-cleft: It + be + X + who/that + rest (emphasis on X)
  • What-cleft: What + clause + be + X (emphasis at the end)
  • Clefts pinpoint the key information

5 Ellipsis & Substitution

Ellipsis omits words that can be understood from context, avoiding repetition:

  • Verbal: She can sing and (she can) dance.
  • Nominal: I have two pens; you can take one (pen).
  • Clausal: He said he would help, and he did (help).

Substitution replaces a word or phrase with a shorter 'pro-form':

  • do/does/did replaces a verb phrase: She works hard, and so does he.
  • so replaces a clause after think/hope/believe: "Will it rain?" "I think so."
  • not replaces a negative clause: "Is he coming?" "I hope not."
  • one/ones replaces a countable noun: The red shirt and the blue one.

Use these to keep writing tight — but only when the meaning stays clear.

1
Worked Example
Use ellipsis: He likes tea and he likes coffee.
Solution

He likes tea and coffee. (omit 'he likes')

2
Worked Example
Substitute: "Has she left?" "I believe she has left."
Solution

"I believe so." — 'so' replaces 'she has left'.

Key Points

  • Ellipsis omits repeated words (verbal, nominal, clausal)
  • Substitution: do/does/did (verb), so/not (clause), one/ones (noun)
  • Use them for economy — keep the meaning clear

6 Vocabulary Builder

WordMeaningहिन्दी
Cleft sentencea split sentence for emphasisविभाजित वाक्य
Ellipsisomitting understood wordsलोप
Substitutionreplacing with a pro-formप्रतिस्थापन
Pro-forma word standing in (so, one)प्रतिरूप शब्द
Economysaying more with lessमितव्ययिता
✎ Vocabulary Quick Test0 / 1
Q.'It was Ravi who won' is an example of:
Explanation: 'It + be + Ravi + who…' is an it-cleft.

7 Common Mistakes to Avoid

✗ IncorrectIt is John which called.
✓ CorrectIt is John who called.
Use 'who' for a person in an it-cleft.
✗ IncorrectWhat I need is to rest. (awkward) / I rest.
✓ CorrectWhat I need is rest.
Balance the what-cleft with a noun phrase.
✗ IncorrectShe can sing and dance she can.
✓ CorrectShe can sing and (can) dance.
Use ellipsis cleanly, not awkward repetition.
✗ IncorrectHe works hard and so I do.
✓ CorrectHe works hard and so do I.
Substitution inverts: 'so do I'.

8 Practice Exercises

Fill in the BlanksLevel 1
Rewrite as an it-cleft, emphasising the underlined part.
  1. (Ravi) broke the vase.
  2. She arrived (yesterday).
  3. (The dog) chased the cat.
  4. I met him (at the station).
  5. (Honesty) wins respect.
Answer Key
  1. It was Ravi who broke the vase.
  2. It was yesterday that she arrived.
  3. It was the dog that chased the cat.
  4. It was at the station that I met him.
  5. It is honesty that wins respect.
Fill in the BlanksLevel 2
Rewrite as a what-cleft or use ellipsis/substitution as directed.
  1. I want peace. (what-cleft)
  2. She likes apples and she likes oranges. (ellipsis)
  3. He works hard. I work hard too. (substitution)
  4. "Is she coming?" "I hope she is coming." (substitution)
  5. I admire his courage. (what-cleft)
Answer Key
  1. What I want is peace.
  2. She likes apples and oranges.
  3. He works hard, and so do I.
  4. "I hope so."
  5. What I admire is his courage.
Error Detection
  1. It was him who called.
  2. What I need are rest.
  3. He is tired and so I am.
  4. She can drive and she can fly a plane she can.
Answer Key
  1. It was he who called. (formal) (error: him)
  2. What I need is rest. (error: are)
  3. He is tired and so am I. (error: so I am)
  4. She can drive and fly a plane. (error: repetition)
Sentence Correction
  1. It was the book which inspired me which I lost.
  2. What he did were heroic.
  3. "Will it work?" "I don't think."
Answer Key
  1. It was the book that inspired me. (one cleft, clearly)
  2. What he did was heroic.
  3. "I don't think so."
Rearrange the Words
  1. who / it / Ram / was / window / the / broke
  2. I / what / rest / is / need
  3. and / hard / works / he / so / do / I
Answer Key
  1. It was Ram who broke the window.
  2. What I need is rest.
  3. He works hard, and so do I.
Match the Following
Column AColumn B
1. It was Ram who…a. ellipsis
2. What I need is…b. it-cleft
3. She can sing and dance.c. substitution
4. I think so.d. what-cleft
Answer Key
It was Ram who… → it-cleftWhat I need is… → what-cleftShe can sing and dance. → ellipsisI think so. → substitution

9 Micro Quiz

✎ Quick Check — 5 questions0 / 5
Q1.Which is an it-cleft?
Explanation: 'It + be + Sam + who…'.
Q2.Complete the what-cleft: '___ I admire is your courage.'
Explanation: What-cleft begins with 'What'.
Q3.Substitute: 'He is happy, and ___.'
Explanation: Inversion: 'so am I'.
Q4.Ellipsis: 'I bought a red pen and a blue ___.'
Explanation: 'one' substitutes the countable noun 'pen'.
Q5.'Is it raining?' 'I hope ___.' (you don't want rain)
Explanation: 'I hope not' = I hope it is not raining.

10 Reading Practice

It was determination that carried the team through. What they lacked in skill, they made up in spirit. "Do you think we can win?" asked the youngest. "I believe so," replied the captain. The others nodded; so did the coach. In the end, it was not talent but teamwork that mattered, and everyone knew it.

Comprehension Questions
  1. Identify the it-cleft sentences and what each emphasises.
  2. Find the what-cleft and explain its effect.
  3. Identify one substitution.
Answer Key
  1. 'It was determination that carried the team' (emphasis on determination); 'it was not talent but teamwork that mattered' (emphasis on teamwork).
  2. 'What they lacked in skill, they made up in spirit' — it contrasts and emphasises 'spirit'.
  3. 'I believe so' (so = we can win); 'so did the coach' (so did = also nodded).

11 Speaking, Writing & Daily Use

Say these aloud
  • It was her smile that won everyone over.
  • What matters most is honesty.
  • She can act and sing.
  • He left early, and so did I.
  • "Will they come?" "I hope so."
Write five sentences about a memorable day, using one it-cleft, one what-cleft, one example of ellipsis, and two of substitution (so/do).
Example: It was the rain that made it special. What I remember most is the laughter. We danced and sang. They were happy, and so were we. "Was it fun?" "I think so."

12 Challenge Zone

🔥 Higher-Level Questions — 30 / 3
Q1.Rewrite as an it-cleft emphasising the time: 'We met in 2019.'
Explanation: 'It was in 2019 that we met.'
Q2.Which sentence uses substitution correctly?
Explanation: 'and so did I' inverts the auxiliary.
Q3.Choose the best ellipsis: 'He promised to call, and he called.'
Explanation: 'and he did' uses clausal ellipsis/substitution with 'did'.

13 Chapter Mind Map

Mind Map
  CLEFT / ELLIPSIS / SUBSTITUTION
                |
   +------------+------------+
   |            |            |
 CLEFT       ELLIPSIS     SUBSTITUTION
 it-cleft:   omit         do/does/did
 It+be+X+who repeated     (verb)
 what-cleft: words        so/not (clause)
 What..is X  (verbal/     one/ones (noun)
            nominal)      so am I (invert)

14 One-Minute Revision

Remember these

  • It-cleft: It + be + X + who/that (emphasis on X)
  • What-cleft: What + clause + be + X (emphasis at the end)
  • Ellipsis omits repeated words (verbal/nominal/clausal)
  • Substitution: do/does/did (verb), so/not (clause), one/ones (noun)
  • Use clefts for emphasis, ellipsis & substitution for economy