5 exercises — it-clefts, wh-clefts, not only/but also, fronting, and only-inversion.
0 / 5 completed
1 / 5
Which sentence uses an it-cleft correctly to emphasise the cause of a problem?
It-cleft structure: "It is + [emphasised element] + that/who + rest of sentence." This structure highlights a specific cause, actor, or detail. It is widely used in technical RCAs: "It is the missing index that accounts for 90% of query time."
2 / 5
Choose the correct wh-cleft to emphasise the solution:
Wh-cleft: "What + subject + verb + is + [emphasised element]." The structure splits the sentence to foreground the most important information (the solution). Common in technical proposals: "What this architecture requires is a message queue."
3 / 5
Which correctly uses "not only...but also" with proper inversion?
When "not only" starts a clause, the auxiliary verb inverts: "Not only does X...". When "not only" appears mid-sentence after the subject, no inversion is needed: "The service not only reduces... but also improves..." Both patterns in this question appear — the correct one uses inversion only at the start.
4 / 5
Choose the sentence with correct fronting for emphasis:
Fronting moves an object or complement to the front of the sentence for emphasis: "The documentation we have updated thoroughly." The verb remains after the subject. This pattern is used in technical writing to signal what was specifically addressed.
5 / 5
Which sentence uses "only" inversion correctly?
"Only when/if/after + clause" triggers subject-auxiliary inversion in the main clause: "Only when X does Y..." This is a formal emphasis structure used in technical specifications and constraint descriptions. Other triggers: "Never", "Rarely", "Seldom", "Not until."