Fronting and Emphasis
Fronting moves a word or phrase to the start of a sentence to give it emphasis or to improve cohesion. The element is highlighted simply by its unusual position.
Level C1
Sentence Structure & Emphasis
Summary
- Fronting moves a word or phrase to the start of a sentence to give it emphasis or to improve cohesion. The element is highlighted simply by its unusual position.
Structure
fronted element + rest of clause (sometimes with inversion)
Examples
- This book I really recommend.
- Down the hill rolled the barrel.
- Such was her anger that she left without a word.
- Strange though it sounds, it's true.
Common mistakes
- • Inverting subject and verb when the fronted element doesn't require it.
- • Fronting so much that the sentence becomes hard to follow.
More sentence structure & emphasis
Basic Word Order
A1
English statements normally follow subject + verb + object order. Adverbs and time expressions go in fixed positions rather than between the verb and its object.
And, But, Or
A1
These conjunctions join words, phrases, or clauses. 'And' adds, 'but' contrasts, and 'or' offers a choice.
Inversion After Negative Adverbials
C2
When a negative or restrictive adverbial begins a sentence for emphasis, the subject and auxiliary invert as in a question. This is a formal, dramatic device.
Cleft Sentences
C1
Cleft sentences split one idea into two clauses to emphasise a particular element. 'It-clefts' begin with 'It is/was', and 'what-clefts' (pseudo-clefts) begin with a 'what'-clause.
Subjunctive / Were
C1
English keeps a small subjunctive. The present subjunctive uses the base verb after verbs of demand or suggestion, and the past subjunctive 'were' is used for all persons in unreal conditions.
Ellipsis and Substitution
C1
To avoid repetition, English omits words (ellipsis) or replaces them with shorter forms like 'so', 'do', 'one', and 'neither' (substitution). Both keep sentences economical and cohesive.