Which term describes a sentence built by combining a main clause and a subordinate clause to emphasize a point?

• A. Cleft sentence
• B. Relative clause
• C. Compound sentence
• D. Independent clause

Answer: (A)

Cleft sentences are used to emphasize a particular part of a sentence by pairing a main clause with a subordinate clause. This construction highlights the focused element, often using a form like It is/was … that/who … or aWh-word + be + emphasized part + that/which ….

For example, “It was the manager who approved the budget.” emphasizes who did the approving. Here, the emphasis is on the manager, achieved by splitting the sentence into a main clause and a subordinate (participating) clause.

The other options don’t fit this emphasis-building pattern. A relative clause adds extra information about a noun. A compound sentence joins two independent clauses. An independent clause is a single complete thought and doesn’t inherently emphasize a part of the sentence with a second clause.

So the term that fits a sentence built to emphasize a point by combining a main clause with a subordinate clause is cleft sentence.