"preparatory it" vs emphasis

[LV4-26]

Good afternoon all,

There's been a question with a similar title recently but mine is more specific. So I chose not to "hijack" this other thread.
(We can always consider merging both threads if the author had no more questions to ask).

In French, we use the equivalent of [it's NP wh-] a lot. (that equivalent is even called a "gallicism" - a french-ism)
I first assumed it was much less frequent in English because English speakers have another option which doesn't exist in French (at least, not with the same flexibility), i.e. emphasis / voice inflection.

I was surprised to realize that English natives do use "preparatory it" a lot more than I'd thought (though not quite as much as we do, maybe?)

Examples will be more explicit
A1. It was you who suggested we buy this car, not me.
A2. You suggested we buy this car, I never did.

(the bolded words are supposed to be stressed in speech).
or
B1. I think you've got the keys, haven't you?
- No, it is John who has them.
B2. ....No, John has them.


My question : is there anything that would make you use #1 rather than #2, or the opposite, either in my examples or in general? (more examples are welcome)

Any help appreciated.
Jean-Michel

 

[dwipper]

I could see myself using either construction in just about any situation I can think of, though I think I tend use #2 more often since it is clearer and simpler.

If pressed to make a distinction, I might say that the [it's NP wh-] construction is more accusatory (or frustrated, angry, etc.) than that of #2 even with the added emphasis. It sometimes implies that the subject is in the wrong.

 

[cuchuflete]

Hi Jean-Michel,

A1. It was you who suggested we buy this car, not me. When I use this construction, I give verbal emphasis to "you" and to "me".

A2. You suggested we buy this car, I never did.

A1 is more formal, A2 may be more emphatic. This is due to the relative terseness of the
sentence.

A3. Did I suggest we buy this car? No, you did.

A4. Who suggested we buy this car, you or me?

A5. You're the one who suggested we buy this car, not me.

A6. Aren't you the one who suggested we buy this car? Or was it me?

A7. Was it me who suggested we buy this car, or was it you/your suggestion?

Looking at all of these idiomatic choices, A1 and it's companion A7 are the most formal. They are
also the least direct and accusatory, in regard to the words used, but the message is just as strong as with the more colloquial, shorter sentences and questions.

My question : is there anything that would make you use #1 rather than #2, or the opposite, either in my examples or in general? (more examples are welcome)

Good question. I might use A1 or A7 in speaking with a logical person. These constructions set the stage, and depend just a little more on reason than emotion.