Page 241 - Advanced English Grammar in Use
P. 241
( 1 )
It...
I t . . . (1)
of using
as
or
tbat-clause,
//-clause
a
of the
subject
u^-clause,
the
to-infinitive clause,
Instead
Instead of using a that-clause, wh-clause, to-infinitive clause, or //-clause as the subject of the
sentence, we usually (and always with an //-clause) prefer to use a pattern with it + be +
sentence, we usually (and always with an //-clause) prefer to use a pattern with it + be +
adjective/noun + clause. Compare:
adjective/noun + clause. Compare:
It is
an honour that Professor Bolt is
That Professor Bolt is attending the
2 • ¢ It is an honour that Professor Bolt is • ¢ That Professor Bolt is attending the
an
honour.
is
attending the conference.
conference
attending the conference. conference is an honour.
It is
clear why Don decided to
Why Don
•
leave
decided to
is
Spain
dear.
leave
Spain.
• ¢ It is clear why Don decided to leave Spain. | * Why Don decided to leave Spain is dear.
very enjoyable.
a choir is
To
sing in a choir.
It's very enjoyable to
sing in
• ¢ It's very enjoyable fo sing in a choir. • ¢ To sing in a choir is very enjoyable.
surprising //the two countries
It will be
• ¢ It will be surprising //the two countries
don't reach an agreement soon.
don't reach an agreement soon.
sentences
are
formal.
less
sentences
formal.
are
rather
These
These sentences are less formal.
These sentences are rather formal.
These
sentence,
at the end of the
us to put these clauses
which
it... pattern
is the
usual
allows
Using an it... pattern allows us to put these clauses at the end of the sentence, which is the usual
Using an
or
important
English
for information that
is
in
new.
place
place in English for information that is important or new.
In written English we don't usually use an it... pattern instead of sentences which begin with a
B In written English we don't usually use an it... pattern instead of sentences which begin with a
subject:
as
noun as subject:
noun
success was unexpected, (not It was unexpected their success.)
• ¢ Their success was unexpected. (not It was unexpected their success.)
Their
in spoken English this is quite common:
However,
However, in spoken English this is quite common:
It tastes really good, this new ice cream.
• ¢ It tastes really good, this new ice cream.
We can use a similar pattern with it + verb + (object) + clause using a verb other than be:
We can use a similar pattern with it + verb + (object) + clause using a verb other than be:
It helps to have a very sharp knife when you prepare fish.
• ¢ It helps to have a very sharp knife when you prepare fish.
left the company.
It didn't surprise me when Pete
• ¢ It didn't surprise me when Pete left the company.
Some verbs are often used with it + verb + (object) + that-clause.Compare:
Some verbs are often used with it + verb + (object) + that-dause. Compare:
(object) + that-clause
Alternative pattern
It + verb + + (object) + that-clause Alternative pattern
It + verb
It worried me that she drove so fast. I was worried that she drove so fast.
• ¢ It worried me that she drove so fast. • ¢ I was worried that she drove so fast.
bike didn't belong to him.
It turned out that the
• ¢ It turned out that the bike didn't belong to him. X Xx
concern,
annoy, bother,
amaze,
an alternative pattern
with
include
as worry,
such
Other verbs, such as worry, with an alternative pattern include amaze, annoy, bother, concern,
Other verbs,
surprise. Other verbs, such as turn out, with no alternative pattern include
frighten, please,
frighten, please, surprise. Other verbs, such as turn out, with no alternative pattern include
seem, transpire.
emerge, follow, happen,
appear, come about, emerge, follow, happen, seem, transpire.
appear, come about,
D Some verbs are commonly used with an it...pattern when they are in the passive and followed by
are commonly
followed
in the passive
and
used with
by
an it...pattern when they are
Some verbs
clause:
or
to-infinitive
^-clause,
that-c\aust,
a a that-clause,wh-clause, or to-infinitive clause:
g • * It was agreed that the match should be postponed, (not That the match ... was agreed.)
It was agreed that the match should be postponed. (not That the match ... was agreed.)
(not Why no action ... is being asked.)
It is being asked why no action is to be taken, (not To celebrate ... was decided.) determine,
• * It is being asked why no action is to be taken. (not Why no action ... is being asked.)
Feaiy vin Some verbs can or the say what is or characteristics in needed. a week to mend our roof.
It was decided to celebrate his 75th birthday,
• ¢ It was decided to celebrate his 75th birthday. (not To celebrate ... was decided.)
accept,
followed
agree, believe,
this
hope,
decide, expect,
by a
that-c\ausz
include
like
Verbs like this followed by a that-clause include accept, agree, believe, decide, expect, hope,
Verbs
understand; verbs followed
by a w^-clause include
think,
ask, decide,
intend, plan,
intend, plan, think, understand; verbs followed by a wh-clause include ask, decide, determine,
include
to-infinitive clause
know,
followed
decide,
hope,
understand;
verbs
by
a
agree,
establish, know, understand; verbs followed by a to-infinitive clause include agree, decide, hope,
establish,
by more than
of clause.
one type
be
followed
intend, plan.
intend, plan. Some verbs can be followed by more than one type of clause.
a particular activity;
for example,
use it with
take when we
or was needed
We can use it with take when we say what is or was needed in a particular activity; for example,
We can
resources
needed,
Compare:
the amount of time needed, or the resources or characteristics needed. Compare:
the amount of time
a week to mend our roof,
The men took
•
and
• ¢
It took the men a week to mend our roof. and * The men took a week to mend our roof.
It took the men
and
flute
• A lot of effort is needed to play the
It takes a lot of effort to play the flute well, and + A lot of effort is needed to play the flute
It takes a lot of effort to play the flute well.
• *
well.
t
Reporng
i
t
i
passves It...
;
t
j
i
i
l
I t - causes =
adectves:
well.
i tL:
it... 0.
whadjectives {IEE
wh It...: ao
It... vin
It-clauses Ta
It... (2) = om