2. Cleft sentences

Like fronting, a cleft-sentence is a device for giving prominence to an item. However, compared to fronting, a cleft-sentence is a much more elaborate grammatical means, involving the division of the sentence into two clauses, each with its own verb. There are basically two types of cleft sentences – the it-type and the wh-type (usually introduced by "what").

E.g.: We need more time (normal). – It's more time that we need. What we need is more time. More time is what we need (cleft sentences).

The it-pattern of cleft sentences can be used to emphasize practically any part of a sentence except the predicate (the emphasized parts are given in bold type).

E.g.: It’s his outrageous sense of humour that I’m complaining about.

It was in January when we got the test results.

It’s in Green Street market where we’ll find the best bargains.

It was because of greed that he did it.

It’s by using a calculator that he does it.

In order to emphasize the action or a verb complement in a sentence what-clefts are used.

E.g.: What Martin did was (to) crash his mother's car.

What the new members have done is taken their seats in the hall.

To highlight a person, place, time, reason, etc. we often use cleft sentences with an introductory noun phrase (underlined).

E.g.: The guy who told me about the new club was Jake.

The reason why they didn’t tell me the truth is quite obscure.

The last thing (which) I’m going to do is ask them.

3) Inversion

Fronting may co-occur with another stylistic device: inversion, i.e. a change in the sequence of subject and predicate. Through the skilful use of fronting combined with inversion, a speaker/ writer can exploit the potential of the two most prominent positions in the clause: the opening and the end.

Inversion is required after opening elements that are negative or restrictive coordinators or adverbials, such as: neither, nor, never, nowhere, on no condition/ account, under no circumstances, at no time, not until much later, not only, hardly, no sooner, rarely, scarcely, seldom, little, least of all, less, only, in vain.

E.g.: Never have I seen such a sight in my life.

Not since the sixties has a pop-group won such acclaim.

Under no circumstances can refunds be given.

On no account should he be blamed for that.

Little did we realize the true extent of the disaster.

Only later did he manage to get permission.

Inversion after most initial negative/ restrictive elements has a rhetorical effect.

Inversion can also be found in the following cases.

- After opening elements consisting of the degree adverb so followed by an adjective or adverb; similarly after clause-initial such:

E.g.: So absurd did his story sound that at first nobody believed him.

So great was our surprise that we were utterly speechless.

So greatly had he suffered that death came as a relief.

Such self-confidence did he feel that he ignored all our warnings.

- After fronted comparisons, also, such, so:

The captain is refusing to play under these conditions and so is the rest of the team.

- After an adverb of place (there, outside, opposite etc) or of time (next, then, first, now, finally etc) to form a link with the information given in the previous sentence, and also for emphasis.

E.g.: On one wall there was a beautiful rambling rose. Opposite stood an ancient oak tree over a charming wishing well.

That was the final installment. Next is the news.

- In informal speech, subject-verb inversion generally occurs only after here and there.

E.g.: Here comes a big red bus.