Cleft Construction
Pattern
It + be + FOCUS + that/who + remainder — information-focus split
Definition
A construction that splits a simple clause into two parts to highlight one element for focus. 'It-clefts' use 'it is/was... that' framing; 'wh-clefts' use 'what... is' framing.
Examples
Example 1
It was the dog that ate the cake — a cleft construction focusing 'the dog' as the agent. Compare: 'The dog ate the cake.'
AI Detection Note
AI occasionally uses it-clefts for emphasis but rarely uses wh-clefts ('What matters is...'). When AI does use clefts, they tend to focus predictable elements rather than creating genuine surprise.
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