Selasa, 15 Februari 2011

INTRODUCTORY “IT”

Before we go futher, I will show you some lyrics of song that uses introductory “it” J 

It was enchanting to meet you ~ Enchanted by Taylor Swift
It’s time to face the music, I’m no longer your muse ~ The one that got away by Katy Perry
Every night it’s all the same ~ Something ‘bout love by David Archuleta
Keeping it inside, it’s killing me ~ Inconsolable by BSB

Let’s go to the materials :)

The Place of “it”

#1 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.

#2 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: the gerund can be changed into the infinitive)
#3 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.)

Uses of “it”
#1 Introductory it with seem, appear and look
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.

#2 Introductory it as an object
It 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.

#3 Introductory it 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.

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