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 COMPLEMENT
or
IT + BE + CLAUSE (subject + verb)
or
IT + 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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