2022. 5. 29. 23:56ㆍGrammar/Placeholder
Anticipatory 'it'
Anticipatory 'it' is used in the subject or object position to refer to the real subejct or obejct, which appears later in the sentence. We use anticipatory 'it' especially when the real subject or object of the sentence is a phrase or clause such as -ing form, to + infinitive , and that + clauses:
- It's strange being back here again. (Anticipatory subject)
- It was nice to meet you. (Anticipatory subject)
- It's interesting that penguins cannot fly. (Anticipatory subject)
- She made it a rule to work out on a regular basis. (Anticipatory object)
- I consider it an honor to be nominated. (Anticipatory object)
Anticipatory 'it': passive construction
Anticipatory 'it' is used in passive constructions, where the doer or agent is considered relatively less important or unimportant in the statement:
- It is said that the corruption in the organization is acute.
- It is argued that the decision is a military matter.
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'It': pronoun It, the pronoun, is used to refer to a thing previously mentioned or easily identified. I don't want to try this food. It smells really bad. She took a quick look at the computer and n..
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Anticipatory 'it': hedging and softening
Anticipatory 'it' is used to soften or hedge a statement, making it less direct:
- It looks like televised trials are here to stay.
- It seems that all is not well at home.
- It appears that he has never met her before.
Anticipatory 'it': cleft sentences
We can use 'it' in cleft sentences. 'It' is used as an anticipatory subject to emphasize a specific element of the sentence:
- It was in 1950 that China first invaded Tibet.
- It is in Korea that you can enjoy a variety of Kimchi.
- It was James who told me to send an email.