Page 241 - Advanced English Grammar in Use

I t . . . ( 1 )

Instead of using a tbat-clause, u^-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 +
adjective/noun + clause. Compare:

• It is an honour that Professor Bolt is • That Professor Bolt is attending the
attending the conference. conference is an honour.
• It is clear why Don decided to leave Spain. • Why Don decided to leave Spain is dear.
• It's very enjoyable to sing in a choir. • To sing in a choir is very enjoyable.
• It will be surprising //the two countries
don't reach an agreement soon.
These sentences are less formal. These sentences are rather formal.

Using an it... pattern allows us to put these clauses at the end of the sentence, which is the usual
place in English for information that is important or new.

B In written English we don't usually use an it... pattern instead of sentences which begin with a
noun as subject:
• Their success was unexpected, (not It was unexpected their success.)
However, in spoken English this is quite common:
• 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:
• It helps to have a very sharp knife when you prepare fish.
• It didn't surprise me when Pete left the company.
Some verbs are often used with it + verb + (object) + that-dause. Compare:

It + verb + (object) + that-clause Alternative pattern
• It worried me that she drove so fast. • I was worried that she drove so fast.
• It turned out that the bike didn't belong to him. X

Other verbs, such as worry, with an alternative pattern include amaze, annoy, bother, concern,
frighten, please, surprise. Other verbs, such as turn out, with no alternative pattern include
appear, come about, emerge, follow, happen, seem, transpire.
D Some verbs are commonly used with an it...pattern when they are in the passive and followed by
a that-c\aust, ^-clause, or to-infinitive clause:
• It was agreed that the match should be postponed, (not That the match ... was agreed.)
• It is being asked why no action is to be taken, (not Why no action ... is being asked.)
• It was decided to celebrate his 75th birthday, (not To celebrate ... was decided.)
Verbs like this followed by a that-c\ausz include accept, agree, believe, decide, expect, hope,
intend, plan, think, understand; verbs followed by a w^-clause include ask, decide, determine,
establish, know, understand; verbs followed by a to-infinitive clause include agree, decide, hope,
intend, plan. Some verbs can be followed by more than one type of clause.

We can use it with take when we say what is or was needed in a particular activity; for example,
the amount of time needed, or the resources or characteristics needed. Compare:
• It took the men a week to mend our roof, and • The men took a week to mend our roof.
• It takes a lot of effort to play the flute well, and • A lot of effort is needed to play the flute
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Reporng wh It...: passves It... wh adectves: well. It... (2) = I t - causes =
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