pseudo-cleftadj.n.
/ˈs(j)uːdə(ʊ)klɛft/, U.S. /ˈsudoʊˌklɛft/ Linguistics.
A. adj.
Of or designating a two-clause sentence derived by transformation from a single clause, resembling a cleft sentence but conveying emphasis typically through the use of a relative wh-nominal clause (as ‘what we want is x’ from ‘we want x’). Cf. cleft adj. d.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > linguistics > study of grammar > syntax or word order > syntactic relations > [adjective] > change of word order or position > specific transformations
reflexed1836
pseudo-cleft1967
extraposed1972
fronted1972
extraposable1978
1967 P. S. Rosenbaum Gram. Eng. Predicate Complem. Constr. iv. 75 The pronominal head of this construction no longer exists in a form to which the pseudocleft sentence transformations can apply.
1979 Trans. Philol. Soc. 34 Pseudo-cleft variants such as:..What I am waiting for is for Mary to leave where both occurrences of for (italicized) appear overtly.
2000 T. B. Fernald Predicates & Temporal Arguments i. 6 Those that do not test for agentivity involve the ability to appear in the progeressive and the ability to appear in the pseudo-cleft construction.
B. n.
A pseudo-cleft sentence.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > linguistics > study of grammar > syntax or word order > syntactic relations > [noun] > change of word order or position > specific types of movement or transformation
cleft construction1937
wh-transformation1957
rank shift1961
rankshifting1965
fronting1966
pseudo-cleft1967
promotion1968
pseudo-clefting1970
tough movement1971
slifting1973
extraposing1976
1967 Jrnl. Linguistics 3 114 The grammaticality of the corresponding passive sentence..and the pseudo-cleft..is evidence that the string that she drinks beer is a noun phrase complement sentence.
1985 Word 36 3 These two examples illustrate what is probably the most general and widespread function of pseudo-clefts in discourse: the highlighting of theme.
2001 R. Paul Lang. Disorders from Infancy through Adolescence (ed. 2) xii. 423 Identify syntactic structures that might be causing difficulty. Some likely candidates include..sentences with unusual word order, such as pseudoclefts.
Derivatives
ˈpseudo-clefting n. the process of transforming a sentence into a pseudo-cleft sentence.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > linguistics > study of grammar > syntax or word order > syntactic relations > [noun] > change of word order or position > specific types of movement or transformation
cleft construction1937
wh-transformation1957
rank shift1961
rankshifting1965
fronting1966
pseudo-cleft1967
promotion1968
pseudo-clefting1970
tough movement1971
slifting1973
extraposing1976
1970 M. Muraki (title of thesis) in Mod. Lang. Jrnl. (1971) 55 66 Presuppostion, pseudo-clefting and thematization.
2000 N. Besnier Tuvaluan i. 246 Clefting, pseudoclefting, and dislocation can only target noun phrases.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, September 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.n.1967