Page 142 - Basic English Usage

187 — 188 42

187 it: preparatory subject

When the subject of a sentence is an infinitive or a clause, this does not
usually come at the beginning. We prefer to start the sentence with the
‘preparatory subject’ it.
It's nice to be with you.
(To be with you is nice is possible, but unusual.)
It's probable that we'll be a little late.
We often use this structure in sentences with be + adjective.
It+ be + adjective + infinitive
It's hard to live on my salary.
It is possible to go by road or rail.
It is important to book in advance.
It+ be + adjective + clause |
It's possible that I'll be here again next week.
It's surprising how many unhappy people there are.
It wasn't clear what she meant.
!s it true that your father's ill?

We also use the structure to talk about the time that things take. (See
338.)
It took me months to get to know her.
How fong does it take to get to London from here?

/tcan be a preparatory subject for an -ing form. This happens especially
with it’s worth (see 368) and it’s no good/use. |n other cases it is rather
informal.
It’s worth going to Wales if you have the time.
It’s no use trying to explain — I'm not interested.
It was nice seeing you.
For the use of if as a Subject in emphatic structures, see 111.
For ‘impersonal’ it in sentences like (t's raining, see 247.5.
For itas ‘preparatory object’, see 188.

188 it: preparatory object

We sometimes use /f as a preparatory object. This happens most often
in the structures make if clear that ... and find/make it easy/difficult
to...
George made it clear that he wasn't interested.
! found it easy to talk to her.
You make it difficult to refuse.