Blurb:

The present chapter explores the use of it-cleft constructions, a type of focusing device that has been claimed to be over-represented in the written production of advanced learners with different L1 backgrounds. Its objective is threefold: first, it investigates how Spanish advanced EFL learners compare with NSs from the point of view of their use of it-clefts, second, it addresses the issue of how NNSs and NSs compare regarding their use of the different discourse functions of it-clefts, and finally, the chapter investigates whether the differences between the two groups may be attributed to influence of the L1.