Cleft sentences are a powerful tool in Spanish for emphasizing specific parts of a sentence by splitting it into two clauses. This structure allows speakers to highlight particular information and add emphasis to their statements. In this article, we’ll explore the various ways to form cleft sentences in Spanish, complete with examples.
1. Lo que… es/son (What… is/are)
This structure is used to emphasize the object or action of a sentence.
Formula: Lo que + verb + es/son + emphasized element
Example:
- Normal: Necesito dinero.
- Cleft: Lo que necesito es dinero. (What I need is money.)
2. El/La/Los/Las que… es/son (The one(s) who/that… is/are)
This structure is used to emphasize the subject of a sentence.
Formula: El/La/Los/Las que + verb + es/son + emphasized element
Example:
- Normal: Juan ganó el premio.
- Cleft: El que ganó el premio fue Juan. (The one who won the prize was Juan.)
3. Quien… es/son (Who… is/are)
Similar to the previous structure, this is used to emphasize the subject, but specifically for people.
Formula: Quien + verb + es/son + emphasized element
Example:
- Normal: María hizo el pastel.
- Cleft: Quien hizo el pastel fue María. (Who made the cake was María.)
4. Es/Son… el/la/los/las que (It is… who/that)
This structure is used to emphasize various elements of a sentence.
Formula: Es/Son + emphasized element + el/la/los/las que + rest of sentence
Example:
- Normal: Compré el libro ayer.
- Cleft: Es ayer cuando compré el libro. (It was yesterday when I bought the book.)
5. Lo + adjective + es que (What is + adjective + is that)
This structure is used to emphasize an entire clause or situation.
Formula: Lo + adjective + es que + clause
Example:
- Normal: Es sorprendente que haya ganado el concurso.
- Cleft: Lo sorprendente es que haya ganado el concurso. (What is surprising is that he won the contest.)
Conclusion
Cleft sentences in Spanish provide a versatile way to emphasize different parts of a sentence, allowing speakers to highlight specific information and add nuance to their communication. By mastering these structures, Spanish learners can express themselves more effectively and with greater precision.