INTRODICTORY IT

INTRODICTORY IT

A : To understand this lesson is easy
B :  It is easy to understand this lesson.
In this pattern, it has no meaning. It is used only to fill the cubject position in the sentence. thus, it is called introductory “it”.

When the actual subject is an infinitive phrase, we often begin the sentence with it. So for example, instead of saying ‘To retreat now would be foolish’, we say, ‘It would be foolish to retreat now’.

Sentence pattern: It + verb + subject complement + infinitive phrase (real subject)

• It is easy to learn English. (More natural than ‘To learn English is easy.’)
• It was difficult to understand his motive. (More natural than ‘To understand his motive was difficult.’)
• It must be tempting to get such an offer. (More natural than ‘To get such an offer must be tempting.’)
• It might be advisable to consult specialists. (More natural than ‘To consult specialists might be advisable.’)
• It could be dangerous to drive so fast. (More natural than ‘To drive so fast could be dangerous.’)
• It might be foolish to retreat now. (More natural than ‘To retreat now might be foolish.’)

However, when we wish to emphasize the infinitive phrase, it may be put at the beginning, especially if it is short.

When the subject is a phrase that includes a gerund, it is used as a provisional subject to begin the sentence. Instead of saying ‘Your trying to deceive us is no good’, we may say ‘It is no good your trying to deceive us’.

• Will it be any good my talking to him about it?
• It is no use arguing with him.
• It won’t be much good complaining to the officer about it.

Note that the gerund can be changed into the infinitive.

• Will it be any good for me to talk to him about it?

When the subject is a clause, the sentence usually begins with it. Instead of saying ‘That she was once a famous artist is true’, we may say, ‘It is true that she was once a famous artist’.

• It does not matter whether he comes or not. ( Whether he comes or not does not matter.)
• It is doubtful whether he can pay the dues. ( Whether he can pay the dues is doubtful.)
• It cannot be denied that the doctors did their best to save his life. (That the doctors did their best to save his life cannot be denied.)