Syntax

Fronting

We can begin an affirmative clause with the object or complement to make this the topic of the sentence or to emphasise its importance. This is termed fronting.

• Where previously a job might have required a BA, now it requires an MA or even a PhD.
• What stories like this illustrate is the need to rethink the fundamental principles.

These sentences could be restructured like this:

• A job that now requires an MA or even a PhD previously required a BA.
• The need to rethink the fundamental principles is illustrated by stories like this.

Fronting is quite common in informal spoken English.

• A great day that was!
• Very nice time we had yesterday.

Fronting is also possible in a formal style.

• This matter we have already dealt with at length.

Although it is more common to use a passive form to bring a noun to the front of a sentence.

• This matter has already been discussed at length.

Other cases of fronting are as follows:

• A very good day it was, too. (Fronting the object or complement)
  Instead of: It was a very good day.

• Tired as we were, we kept going. (Fronting with as or though)
  Instead of: We kept going even though we were tired.

• Happy though he was, he didn't take his luck for granted. (Fronting with as or though)
  Instead of: He didn't take his luck for granted, despite being happy.

• How the cat got out, we'll never know. (Fronting with a question-word clause)
  Instead of: We'll never know how the cat got out.

• At the top of the stairs stood Gwendolyn holding a flickering candle. (Fronting with adverbial expressions)
  Instead of: Gwendolyn stood at the top of the stairs holding a flickering candle.