1. ADVANCED
B2 GRAMMAR
Why Steve Jobs was a genius is clear.
It is clear why Steve Jobs was a genius.
Anticipatory it
2. If the subject is a long or grammatically complex
structure (a that-clause, wh-clause, toinfinitive or if-clause), we prefer to use a
pattern with it. This allows us to put those
clauses at the end of the sentence, which is the
usual place in English for information that is
important or new.
Example:
Why
Steve decided to resign
Better: It is clear
resign.
is clear.
why Steve decided to
3. It
+ is + clear + why Steve decided to
resign.
It + is + my ambition + to set up my own
business.
Original sentence:To set up my own business is my
ambition:
It
+ is + an honour + that Professor Jobs is
attending the conference this evening.
4. Examples:
It
+ helps + the cook + to have a sharp knife.
It + upsets + me + to hear people arguing.
It + worried + her parents + that she drove
so fast.
5. Verbs
in this group include amaze, annoy,
astonish, bother, concern, frighten,
hurt, please, scare, shock, surprise,
upset and worry.
They
also have an alternative pattern, e.g.
Her parents were worried that she drove so
fast.
Verbs with NO alternative pattern include
appear, come about, emerge,
follow, happen, seem, transpire,
e.g. It turned out that the bike didn’t belong
to him.
6. This
structure is common with many
adjectives expressing possibility,
necessity, importance, etc. Some of
them are un/important,
essential,
necessary, normal, common,
un/usual, right, wrong,
pointless, vital, etc.
7. It
+ is + vital + for + her + to be resilient in
her job.
It + is + important + for + the meeting + to
start at 8.00.
8. C) IT + VERB + ADJECTIVE/NOUN PHRASE + FOR + OBJECT + TO INFINITIVE
mistake,
idea, plan, shame and
pity.
It + was + a good idea + for them + to travel
in separate cars.
9. C) IT + VERB + ADJECTIVE/NOUN PHRASE + FOR + OBJECT + TO INFINITIVE
un/important,
essential,
necessary, normal, common,
un/usual, right, wrong, pointless,
vital, etc.
10. It
refers to a clause that comes later in the
sentence.
SUBJECT + VERB+ IT + THAT – CLAUSE/ WHCLAUSE/ IF- CLAUSE
SUBJECT + VERB + IT + NOUN PHRASE/
ADJECTIVE + THAT – CLAUSE/ WH- CLAUSE/
INFINITIVE
11. I
+ hate + it + that you can swim so well and I
can’t.
I + wouldn’t mind + it + if she helped in the
house when she stayed with us.
We + like + it + when you cook for us.
12. have
to do with (not) liking, e.g. bear,
enjoy, hate, like, love, don’t
mind, can’t stand, prefer,
resent, understand, etc.
13. We
+ found + it + strange + that she hadn’t
written.
I + consider + it + a waste of money + to
throw food away.
Verbs used with this structure indicate how
we see a particular event or situation, e.g.
believe, consider, find, feel, think, etc.
14. Verbs
used with this structure indicate how
we see a particular event or situation, e.g.
believe, consider, find,
feel, think, etc.
15.
To drive a car without a licence is illegal.
That she wasn’t hurt in the fall was a miracle.
To sing in a choir is very enjoyable.
If the two countries don’t reach an agreement soon will be
surprising.
Where the light was coming from was far from clear.
That the two sides work towards peace is the Foreign
Minister’s hope.
16.
That you already know my secret is obvious.
To send his children to study abroad is his intention.
When Max eventually turned up was a relief.
To know basic computer skills is essential nowadays.
That they could get lost on the way back really
worries me.
That he has a good rapport with his students is very
important for Pete.
17. Join
the sentences using introductory it as
an object. You might need to make some
changes.
She
would like to make a living from her
painting. She finds this impossible.
She dances very well. I love this. She moves
so gracefully.
Students make the same mistake again and
again. I can’t stand this.
People don’t pick up their dog’s mess. I hate
this.
18. 1. USES OF IT: IT PRONOUN, DUMMY/PREP IT,
ANTICIPATORY IT.
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/internetgrammar/minor/antit.htm
2. IT EXTRAPOSITION ( extra practice)
http://www.grammar-quizzes.com/sentcleft.html#whatcleft weighing content).