强调句型的陈述句形式和一般疑问句形式一般还好理解，但若以特殊疑问句形式出现，则很容易误解。比较：
Mary bought a new car. (非强调句)
It was Mary that bought a new car. (强调句型的陈述句形式)
Was it Mary that bought a new car? (强调句型的一般疑问句形式)
Who was it that bought a new car? (强调句型的特殊疑问句形式)
特殊疑问句形式的强调句可视为对陈述句强调中的被强调成分提问得来，如对It was in 1985 that he was born 这一句中的in 1985提问，即得到When was it that he was born?
