It as Subject
Using 'it' as a dummy subject: It's raining, It seems that
When to Use It as Subject
- •Weather: It's raining. It's cold today.
- •Time: It's 3 o'clock. It's Monday.
- •Distance: It's 10 miles to the city.
- •Introductory: It seems that he's late. It appears that...
- •Evaluations: It's important to study. It's nice to meet you.
How to Form It as Subject
Affirmative (+)
It + be/seem/appear + complement/clause
Negative (-)
It isn't easy to learn. It doesn't seem right.
Question (?)
Is it raining? What time is it?
💡 'It' is a dummy/empty subject when there's no real subject. Required in English—can't omit it.
Examples of It as Subject
✓It's important to be on time.
✗Is important to be on time.
English requires a subject—use 'it' as dummy subject.
✓It takes two hours to get there.
✗Takes two hours to get there.
Need 'it' as subject even when meaning is impersonal.
✓It seems that she's unhappy.
✗Seems that she's unhappy.
'It' introduces the that-clause.
Common Mistakes with It as Subject
💡 Practice Tips for It as Subject
- • Weather: It's sunny/cloudy/windy/snowing
- • Time: It's early/late/noon/midnight
- • Distance/Duration: It's far/near, It takes time
- • Opinions: It's good/bad/important/necessary + to-infinitive
- • Introductory: It seems/appears/turns out that...
Quick Quiz
Grammar sorted. Now grow your vocabulary.