The Functions of "It" in English Sentences

1. Lecture 29 It Patterns • 29.1 Empty it and anticipatory it • 1) Empty it • Empty it, as formal subject, also occurs in sentences denoting a general situation, • eg. It has fared well with him. • It was dull when Mary was away.

2. 2) Anticipatory it • Anticipatory it commonly occurs in sentences with a nominal clause as subject or object. • Eg. It was not known whether there was gold left in the mine. • He made it clear that he didn’t want to speak to me.

3. 29.2 It as introductory word of cleft sentences • 1) Cleft sentence defined • A cleft sentence is an emphatic construction with non-referring it as formal subject. It is also called because it is formed by dividing a single statement into two separate parts each with a verb of its own. • It + be + focal element + that/ who-clause

4. 2) Introductory it in cleft sentences vs anticipatory it • The introductory it of a cleft sentence is functionally different from an anticipatory it: the introductory it does not stand for any extraposed subject, while an anticipatory it does. • 3) Pseudo-cleft sentences • A pesudo-cleft sentence is essentially an SVC construction with a what-clause as subject. • Eg. I gave her a handbag. • →What I did was (to) give her a handbag.

5. 2010 • 61. In the sentence "It's no use waiting for her", the italicized phrase is)____. • A. the object • B. an adverbial • C. a complement • D. the subject

6. 2009 • 58. It is going to be fine tomorrow. _______.A. So is it. B. So it is. C. So it does. D. So does it.