INTRODUCTORY IT

INTRODUCTORY IT

When the subject is an infinitive phrase, the sentence often begins with it.Instead of saying ‘To find fault with others is easy’, we say, ‘It is easy to find fault with others’. More examples are given below.

• It is easy to learn English. (More natural than ‘To learn English is easy’.)
• It was not easy to understand his motive.
• It may be advisable to consult a specialist.
• It could be dangerous to drive so fast.
• It was pleasant to sit on the beach.

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

• To err is human.
• To withdraw now will be sheer folly.

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.

When the subject is a clause, the sentence usually begins with it. So instead of saying ‘That he was once a communist is true’, we say, ‘It is true that he was once a communist’.

• It does not matter whether he comes or not. (Whether he comes or not does not matter.)
• It is required that he should pay the fine. (That he should pay the fine is required.)
• It is clear that he overheard our conversation. (That he overheard our conversation is clear.)
• It is clear that you are not interested in this offer. (That you are not interested in the offer is clear.)
• It cannot be denied that they tried their best to help him. (That they tried their best to help him cannot be denied. )
• It doesn’t matter whether we buy it now or later. (Whether we buy it now or later does not matter. )

Introductory it is also used with seem, appear and look when the subject is an infinitive phrase, a phrase with a gerund in it or a clause.

• It looked doubtful whether she would come
• It seemed strange that she should behave like that.
• It seems possible that she may quit the job.
• It appeared unwise to offend him.
• It does not seem much good going on with the work.

Introductory it as an objectIt is sometimes used as the object of the verbs think, feel, deem, count, consider etc.

• Don’t you think it dangerous to drive so carelessly?
• I consider it a privilege to have this opportunity of welcoming you.
• I think it odd that she doesn’t write to me these days.
• I think it a pity that she could not win.
• We think it improper that he should be so dictatorial.
• He made it clear what he wanted.
• I find it difficult to talk to him.

Introductory it in questions
The introductory it is sometimes used in questions.

• Who was it that broke the window?
• It is Peter who broke the window.
• Why was it that he stole the bread?
• It was because he was poor that he stole the bread.
• When was it that the manager came?
• It was at 10 am that the manager came.

Note that the gerund can be changed into the infinitive.
Will it be any good for me to talk to him about it?