Cleft sentences with all
Definition
An all-cleft uses a clause beginning with all and a form of be to focus the one thing, action or result that matters: All I need is a break. It often means the only thing that....
Examples
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All I need is a quiet afternoon.
The structure focuses a quiet afternoon as the only thing needed.
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All she did was apologize.
The focused action is presented after was.
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All we found were two old receipts.
The focused complement is plural, and plural agreement is possible.
Neutral statement vs. all-cleft
I only want an explanation.
Only limits what is wanted inside ordinary clause order.
All I want is an explanation.
The cleft structure gives the focused item a more prominent final position.
The all-cleft packages the background information first and places the main focus after be.
The focused element may be a noun phrase, clause or action
The material after be depends on what is being focused. When all + subject + do is followed by another action, the focused verb commonly appears as a bare infinitive or a to-infinitive.
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All I can say is that I am sorry.
A that-clause supplies the focused message.
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All we did was wait.
The bare infinitive wait identifies the only action performed.
Common mistakes
All what I need is a break.
All I need is a break.
Do not add what after all in this pattern.
All I need it is a break.
All I need is a break.
The opening clause already functions as the subject, so do not add it.
Quick check
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence is a correct all-cleft?
The pattern is All + clause + be + focused element.Which sentence correctly focuses the only action performed?
After All she did was, the focused action can use the base form apologize.Which sentence gives the final noun phrase special focus?
The cleft places more time after is as the focused information.Nice work — you've completed the quick check.
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