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Cleft Sentences — Frasi Scisse·Identifying Cleft Constructions in B2 Texts
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Rule reminder

At B2 level, learners must be able to identify cleft sentences in authentic texts, understand what element is in focus, and explain why the writer chose a cleft. Types to identify: standard cleft (È...che), pseudo-cleft (Quello che...è), extended pseudo-cleft (Il motivo per cui...è), reverse pseudo-cleft (È...quello che), negative cleft (Non è...che). Each type creates focus on a different element and has a different pragmatic effect.

Identifying Cleft Constructions in B2 Texts1 / 10

Text: 'Il progetto era ambizioso. Quello che nessuno aveva previsto era la resistenza interna.' — What is the focus element and why is the pseudo-cleft used?

More in this section

→ Cleft Sentences in Formal and Journalistic Italian→ Quello che / Ciò che — Advanced Pseudo-Cleft→ Extended Pseudo-Clefts: la cosa che, l'unico che, il motivo per cui→ Italian Cleft vs. English 'it is...that/who'
📝 Take the Section 3 Mini-Exam← Back to Cleft Sentences — Frasi Scisse