Page 243 - Advanced English Grammar in Use

I t . . . ( 2 )

We can use a pattern with it... as the object of a verb. It refers forward to a clause that comes
after. It can sometimes be followed directly by a that-, wh-, or z/-clause, particularly after verbs
to do with '(not) liking' such as enjoy, hate, like, love, don't mind, resent:
• I hate it that you can swim so well and I can't, (not I hate that you can swim...)
• We always like it when you stay with us. (not We always like when you...)
Notice that many other verbs that can be followed by a that-c\ause or w^-clause are not
used with it... in this way, including accept, discover, notice, predict, regret, remember:
• On the train she discovered where she had put her ticket, (not ...discovered it where...)
• He finally accepted that he would never become a doctor, (not ...accepted it that...)

With other verbs used to indicate how we see a particular event or situation, it is followed first
B
by a noun or adjective and then a that-c\ause, wh-c\ause, or to-infinitive clause. Verbs
commonly used in this way include believe, consider, find (= discover something from
experience), feel, think:
• Officials have said they believe it unlikely that any lasting damage to the environment has
been done, (not ...they believe unlikely that...)
• I thought it a waste of money to throw away the food, (not I thought a waste of money to...

When we use leave and owe with it... we can use to (somebody) + to-infinitive after it:
• Don't bother to arrange anything. Just leave it to me to sort out.
• She owed it to her parents to do well at college. (= had a responsibility to them)

With the verbs accept, regard, see, take, or view we use it + as + noun (or adjective) + clause:
• We see (it)as an insult to have received no reply to our letter.
• I thoughtrTwas a very ordinary butterfly, but Tom regarded @as extraordinary riiat we
should have seen it. """""
• I take (jt) as encouraging when students attend all my lectures.

A number of common expressions include It's no... or There's no... Study these examples:
• It's no secret that the President wants to • I'm afraid there's no alternative (or choice) but
have a second term of office. to ask her to leave.
• Following the popularity of his first two • There's no denying that he's a very good
films, it's no surprise that his latest footballer.
production has been successful. • There's no hope of getting money for the
• It's no wonder Dad felt angry. His car research.
was a complete wreck. • There's no need to explain how it works; I'll
• It's no use telling me now. I needed to read the instruction book.
know a week ago. • There's no point in buying an expensive
• It's no good getting annoyed. That computer unless you plan to use it a lot.
won't help solve the problem. • There's no question of agreeing to his demands.
• It was no coincidence (or accident) that • There was no reason to be pessimistic.
they left the party at the same time. • There's no chance of finding a cure if we don't
• It's no longer necessary to have a visa to fund more research.
visit the country. • There's no doubt about the authenticity of the
painting.

There is... It-clauses...;