Using clefts and other structures to highlight information
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Teaching implications | page 3 of 3 |
Expressing contrast through wh-cleft sentences
Often a wh-cleft sentence provides a contrast with the sentence that precedes it. The contrast can be made more explicit by using the word really in the wh-clause.
One way that students can be introduced to the wh-cleft structure is by getting them to write sentences beginning with the words "Some people say/think/feel etc":
"Some people think that the best way to improve English standards in secondary schools is to increase the number of expatriate teachers."
Then, after swapping sentences with a partner, they can write follow-up sentences using a wh-cleft structure with really:
"What is really needed is a reduction in the number of students studying in each class."
"What we really need is more training for teachers."
For further information about wh-cleft sentences, see 
Using clefts and other structures to highlight information: wh-cleft
sentences.
Introduction
Expressing contrast through wh-cleft sentences
