An infinitive can be used as the subject of a clause; however, this is not very common. When the subject of a clause is an infinitive expression, we usually prefer to start the sentence with an it.
Compare:
Although this sentence is grammatically correct, it doesn’t sound very natural. We can make it sound more natural by beginning the sentence with it.
- It is nice to talk to you.
More examples are given below.
- It is my ambition to become a superstar. [More natural than ‘To become a superstar is my ambition’.]
It can also be used as a preparatory subject for the for + infinitive structure.
- It is essential for the party to be a success.
Preparatory it is also used when the subject of the clause itself is another clause. A noun clause, for example, can be the subject of a clause. However, this doesn’t sound very natural.
- It seems probable that she will lose the battle. [More natural than ‘That she will lose the battle seems probable.’]
- It is essential that she should behave. [More natural than ‘That she should behave is essential.’]
It takes …. + infinitive
This structure is used to talk about the time necessary for things to happen.
- It takes me only five minutes to get dressed.
- How long does it take to get to Manchester from here?
It can also be used to emphasize one part of a sentence.
- It was John who broke the window. [Emphasis on the word John]
- It was the window that John broke. [Emphasis on the word window]
Dear Teacher,I want you to clarify this structure for me. Ex ” I can’t stand it when I have to deal with a mistake someone else has made. ” What is the use of the pronoun ” it ” here?
Thanks for your help.
It is quite difficult to use the word ‘it’ for many language learners. Just have a look at my previous sentence.
Why on earth does it start with ‘it’? The answer is: because the subject of this sentence is ‘to use’.
However, it would sound unnatural to place it at the beginning: ‘To use the word ‘it’ is quite difficult for many language learners.’ This is not something we would normally say.
Instead, we use the word ‘it’ as a PREPARATORY SUBJECT:
IT + BE + ADJECTIVE/NOUN COMPLEMENTor
IT + BE + CLAUSE [subject + verb]
orIT + BE + …ING [informal use!]
Here are some more examples for you:
- It’s wonderful to see you. [instead of ‘To see you is wonderful.’]
- It was very kind of you to help me. [instead of ‘To help me was very kind of you.’]
- It’s my ambition to run my own business. [instead of ‘To run my own business is my ambition.’]
- It’s surprising how many learners struggle with grammar. [instead of ‘How many students struggle with grammar is surprising.’]
- It’s exciting when you meet someone new. [instead of ‘When you meet someone new is exciting.’]
- It was nice meeting you. [instead of ‘Meeting you was nice.’]
- It’s no use trying to convince him. [instead of ‘Trying to convince him is no use.’]
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IT used in a sentence as Preparatory Subject or Object
When to Use THIS and IT in English?
Sometimes ‘it’ is used as a PREPARATORY OBJECT. This happens when the object of a verb is a clause with an adjective or noun complement. Also, when the object is an infinitive expression.
SUBJECT + VERB + IT + COMPLEMENT + INFINITIVE/CLAUSE
- I can’t stand it when I have to deal with a mistake someone else has made. [‘it’ stands for the object: ‘when I have to deal with a mistake someone else has made’]
- I find it difficult to talk to strangers. [‘it’ stands for the object: to talk to strangers]
- She thinks it’s strange I haven’t called her for two weeks. [‘it’ stands for the object: ‘I haven’t called her for two weeks’]
- I love it when he sings to me. [‘it’ stands for the object: ‘when he sings to me’]
- I would appreciate it if you could get back to me as soon as possible. [use preparatory ‘it’ for an if-clause after the verb appreciate!]
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In older English, it was a common practice to use an infinitive clause as the subject of a sentence.
- To wait for people who would never turn up made him angry.
Here the infinitive phrase ‘To wait for people who would never turn up’ acts as the subject of the verb made.
In modern English, this structure is not very common. We are more likely to use ‘it’ as a preparatory subject and put the infinitive later.
Study the example given below.
- It made him angry to wait for people who would never turn up.
Rewrite the following sentences as directed.
1. That you feel proud is only natural. [Rewrite the sentence so that it begins with ‘It’.]
2. My aunt gave me a bicycle on my birthday. [Begin with ‘It’.]
3. That she is a fine actress is well-known. [Begin with “It’.]
4. How they got into the room is still a mystery.
5. To remember your telephone number is easy.
6. To play with explosives is dangerous.
Answers
1. It is only natural that you feel proud.
2. It was my aunt who gave me a bicycle on my birthday. OR It was a bicycle that my aunt gave me on my birthday.
3. It is well-known that she is a fine actress.
4. It is still a mystery how they got into the room.
5. It is easy to remember your telephone number.
6. It is dangerous to play with explosives.
In grammar, a preparatory subject or anticipatory subject[1][2] is a subject which represents a verb clause later in the sentence. It as a preparatory subject is "commonly used in speech and writing, especially when the subject is longer than the complement and is better placed at the end of the sentence".[3] is equivalent to
"It" in the first sentence is a preparatory subject, referring to the clause "to play the piano".[4]
- English grammar: It as a preparatory subject
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