Question 1

How would I change this into a cleft sentence to emphasize that the reporter is the one who has to do it?

Accepted Answer

To emphasize the subject, you use ser + [subject] + relative pronoun. Here, you would say Es el reportero quien tiene que desmentir esa cifra (It is the reporter who has to deny that figure) or Es el reportero el que tiene que desmentir esa cifra.

Question 2

How would I use a cleft sentence to put the focus on esa cifra instead?

Accepted Answer

You would put esa cifra after the verb ser and use the relative pronoun la que to match the feminine noun. For example: Es esa cifra la que tiene que desmentir el reportero (It is that figure that the reporter has to deny).

Question 3

Is desmentir related to the verb mentir (to lie)?

Accepted Answer

Yes! The prefix des- in Spanish often indicates the reversal or undoing of an action. By adding it to mentir (to lie), you get desmentir, which literally means to 'un-lie.' It is used when someone officially denies a rumor, refutes a claim, or sets the record straight.

Question 4

Does cifra mean the same thing as the English word 'cipher'?

Accepted Answer

Usually, no. While they share the same historical root, cifra is a false friend here. In everyday Spanish, una cifra refers to a 'figure,' 'number,' or 'statistic' (like a monetary amount or a population figure). If you want to talk about a secret code or cipher, you would generally use código.

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