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    Learn English > English lessons and exercises > English test #112957: It or no It
    > Other English exercises on the same topics: Speaking | Idioms | Pronouns [Change theme]
    > Similar tests: - Vocabulary: greeting people - Vocabulary: on the phone - On the phone - Interacting with someone - Dialogue : What time...? - Conditional clauses - Differences between Like and As - Eating out-Vocabulary
    > Double-click on words you don't understand


    It or no It


    IT or no  IT?

    This particular difficulty is often unknown (even by intermediate learners).Yet, it is a frequent idiomatic addition and it must be done and understood by learners. 

    In some conditions, you must (or mustn't!) add « it » which, most of the times represents nothing for non English-speakers. 

     

    I) When to add IT:

    1) After verbs expressing an impression or an opinion (to find, to think, to consider), the personal pronom IT may announce subject which is either an infinitive  or a clause introduced by that. IT also announces a predicate (or an object complement, which is a noun or an adjective): this complement is composed of an infinitive or a subordinate clause. It will then be followed by a modal auxiliary or a subjunctive

    - It's easy to overspeed on motorways in the US. (= subject) 

    - I consider it important to let him speak when he wants. (= complement) 

     

    2) To speak about a person who's mentioned for the first time: 

    - We have 5 candidates: let's see the first one: it's Mister Reed. 

     

    3) Atfer some prepositions (with, under, in)

    - We looked for her phone under her bed but there was nothing under it.(no pronoun in French!)

     

    4) Several IDIOMS where IT is absolutely necessary: 

    - To take it for granted= I consider it natural and normal...

    - I take it that...= I consider that... 

    - Take it easy! = Take care!

    - Damn it! = To hell with it!

    - They had it all! = They had all that they could ever dream of. 

                                                               

    II) When NOT to ADD IT? 

    1) When the subject of the verb is a clause introduced by WHAT:

    - What I can't bear is hypocrisy.

     

    2) As the predicate of an infinitive clause introduced by for:

    - I left the paper for you to read. (just do what you fancy... )

    I left the paper for you to read it => The speaker is expecting the person to read the paper. 

     

    3) After AS and THAN  ( the implied verbe is TO BE, which is no longer used.)

    - He never works more than necessary.

     

    4) Some impersonal French expressions are expressed in English WITHOUT  IT : he may/ she must/ there happens to be/ There's milk left...

                                                               

     

    That's IT ! Now, it's your turn for the test!Thanks for working with me.



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    English exercise "It or no It" created by here4u with The test builder. [More lessons & exercises from here4u]
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    1. Once again, Billy has drunk more than sensible.


    2. He finds difficult to accept his defeat.


    3. We think a pity that they should be dismissed…


    4. Derek always speaks more than necessary.


    5. I think that the kids spend more time in front of the TV than advisable for them.


    6. I had taken for granted that he would help me if I asked.


    7. He finds stupid to spend so much money on clothes.


    8. The boss thinks important that he give the results himself.


    9. What I like best in this series is having the hero look so modest.


    10. He passed his exam with flying colours, as expected.











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