Mise en relief (Cleft Sentences)

La mise en relief sert à souligner une partie précise d’une phrase. En anglais, elle correspond souvent au français « C’est … qui/que… ».

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1. It-clefts

Structure : It is/was + [élément] + that/who + [reste]

Exemples :

It was Mary who invited Tom to the party.

It was in London that I met her.

It will be tomorrow that they arrive.

⚠ Attention :

Préférer that à *where/when*.

Après *when*, pas de *will*.

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2. Wh-clefts (pseudo-clefts)

Structure : What + [proposition] + is/was + [élément]

Exemples :

What he needs is patience.

What she loves is cooking.

What I want is to relax.

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3. All-clefts

Structure : All + [proposition] + is/was + [élément]

Exemples :

All he wants is to relax.

All they need is a chance.

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4. Autres clefts

The person who… → *The person who called you was my brother.*

The thing that… → *The thing that bothers me is his attitude.*

Where / When → *Where I first met her was in Paris.* / *When I saw him was last night.*

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5. Pronoms et style

Grammaire stricte : It is he who…

Usage courant (oral) : It is him that…

Exemples :

It is he who deserves the credit. (soutenu)

It is him that you should listen to. (fréquent à l’oral)

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6. Erreurs fréquentes

❌ It is happens that… → ✔ It happens that…

❌ What I want is relax. → ✔ What I want is to relax.

❌ It will be tomorrow when they will arrive. → ✔ It will be tomorrow that they arrive.

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7. Exercice

Transforme ces phrases en cleft sentences :

1. John broke the window.
2. I first met her in Paris.
3. They will call you tonight.
4. She needs attention.
5. Peter solved the problem.