I looked through the dictionary and found that the pronoun "it" has may usage:
1.Used as the subject of an impersonal verb:
eg. It is snowing.
2.Used as an anticipatory subject or object:
eg. Is it certain that they will win?
3. Used to refer to a general condition or state of affairs:
eg. She couldn't stand it.
But in the usage below, what dose "it" used as?
it's good to talk to you
it appears that ....
it seems as if .....
it sounds as if ...
it is (not) as if ....
1.Used as the subject of an impersonal verb:
eg. It is snowing.
2.Used as an anticipatory subject or object:
eg. Is it certain that they will win?
3. Used to refer to a general condition or state of affairs:
eg. She couldn't stand it.
But in the usage below, what dose "it" used as?
it's good to talk to you
it appears that ....
it seems as if .....
it sounds as if ...
it is (not) as if ....
copysnakeBut in the usage below, whatThey are all examples of 2. (anticipatory subject). The ones with "as if" could be 3. in certain contexts. Context is always important. Without it, it can be impossible to determine what you're dealing with.doseis "it" used as?
CJ
Comments
And if thery are real subjects, can a link verb exist without a predicative?
One more question, Can pronoun "it" be a subject when there is no mention of what it refers to?
Thank you!
It is certain that Joe finished the task.
=
That Joe finished the task is certain.
This is an obvious case of anticipatory it (i.e., dummy it)
Here's another:
It is important to take an umbrella today.
=
To take an umbrella today is important.
The real subject is moved to the end, and the word it is placed where the subject used to be.
CJ
It seems as if ...
It sounds as if ...
CJ