Introductory "It"

Introductory is a word when used in sentences, don’t infiuence the sentences meaning because it’s meaning have been contained by other sentences element.

Use introductory “IT”

1. As a subject (the place for “it” in subject position)

·        IT + To Be + Adj….

Example:

-          It is not difficult to understand the lesson

-          It would be nice seeing him again

·        IT + To Be + Noun….

Example:

-          It is a pity to spend the money that way

-          It is a difficult thing doing everything by yourself

·        IT + Linking Verb + Adj….

Linking verb is a verb that connect or link a verb to a noun or an adjective. Example from linking verb are: Am, Is, Are, Was, Were, Has been, Are been, Have been, Became, Seems, Appears, Look.

Example:

~ It became useless to go on.

~ It appears no good cheating on the test.

·        IT + Verb + That Clause

Example:

~ It seems that she was sick

~ It happened that I was not out of town

2. As an object ( in object position )

·       Subject + Verb + IT + Adj

Example:

~ I think it wrong to cheat in the examination

-          I found it easy to get the best score for English

The introductory it is applied as an object of such verbs as think, feel, count, consider.

Ø The uses of “it”

a. The use of “it” in sentences about time and weather

·          It + Be + Noun phrase

Example: It is Monday today

·          It + Be + Adj

Example: It’s nice today

·          It + Verb

Example: It snows in the winter

b. The use of it in sentences about distance

Example:

From here to Venus Plaza is 350 meters

® It is 350 meters from here to Venus Plaza; or It is 350 meters to Venus Plaza

c. Another uses of “it”

1. To infinite + V-1

Example:

To understand this lesson is easy

® It is easy to understand this lesson

2. Being/ V-ing

Example:

Playing badminton is bad

® It is bad to play badminton

3. Should

Example: It’s important for parents to take care their children.

Use “Introductory It” with seem, appear, and look. The introductory it is used with these verbs when the subject sits in an infinitive phrase, clause, or a phrase with a gerund.

Example:

~ It looked unlikely that the train would stop

~ It appeared sensible to take the dog out of the shop