cleft sentence
nounEtymology A single clause is split into two separate clauses.
1
Human sciences, Linguistics, Sciences A complex sentence expressible by a simple one, having a dependent clause in front of the main clause and, typically, stressing a particular constituent.
- Quirk et al (1972) say about the cleft sentence that it is "...so called because it divides a single clause into two separate sections, each with its own verb".1978, Per-Kristian Halvorsen, The Syntax and Semantics of Cleft Constructions, Department of Linguistics, University of Texas at Austin, page 28:
- Following Bolinger (1972, 1977) and Gundel (1977), I assume that the introductory it of cleft sentences is referential[…].1984, Ann Borkin, Problems in Form and Function, Ablex Publishing Corporation, page 120:
2 more examples
- Similar analyses of cleft sentences have been repeated in the linguistic literature ever since.2007, Joachim Crass, Ronny Meyer, editors, Deictics, Copula and Focus in the Ethiopian Convergence Area, page 170:
- With the exception of the type Er war es, der mich davon abhielt, i.e. with the subject of the sentence in the cleft to emphasise it (see 3.6.2c), cleft sentence constructions rarely sound natural in German and are best avoided.2011, Martin Durrell, A. E. Hammer, Hammer's German Grammar and Usage, 5th edition, London: Hodder Education, →ISBN:
- Related terms
- pseudocleft