Topics
The first element in a clause is typically the topic (or 'theme'), while the remainder is the comment (or 'rheme'). This first element is most often the grammatical subject. We can signal its status as topic (i) in various syntactic ways, (ii) by choosing an appropriate tone (see
⤵⤴Martha | will ▸have to ⤵wait.
We can topicalize other clause elements. A topicalized object or complement is usually followed by an intonation break.
▸Rather good ⤵meals | they serve at the ⤴Carvery.
I ▸love the ⤵⤴singing, | but the ⤵⤴acting | I thought it was a⤵trocious.
On the ▸question of ⤴guilt, | we must sus▸pend ⤵judgement.
▸More im⤵⤴portant | is the ▸question of what we do ⤵next.
In cleft sentences one constituent of the sentence is fronted and introduced by it is (or it was, etc.). This topicalized constituent must include focused material and therefore an intonation nucleus. If there is further focussed material to follow, then there must be an intonation break.
Any of the following could be answer to Who did you choose?:
(ii) It was Ve'ronica that I chose. (cleft)
(iii) It was Ve'ronica | that 'I chose. (cleft with focus on I)
Pseudo-cleft sentences involve what. There is usually an intonation break between the two halves of the construction:
▸What I'm 'looking for | is a 'saucepan.
▸Getting 'caught | is e▸xactly what I am trying to a'void