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You are here: Home / Lessons / Verb patterns with it

Verb patterns with it

January 8, 2011 - pdf

When the real subject is a gerund or an infinitive or a clause, it is used as a provisional subject to begin the sentence. Different verb patterns are possible.

It + be + adjective + of + noun / pronoun + to-infinitive

The adjectives used in this pattern include the following: kind, good, generous, considerate, foolish, stupid, unwise, clever, wise, nice, wrong, polite, brave, cowardly, silly, wicked, cruel, careless etc.

  • It is kind of you to help us.
  • It was careless of her to leave the keys on the table.
  • It was foolish of him to reject the offer.
  • It is wicked of him to say such things.
  • It was unwise of me to lend him money.

It + be + adjective + to-infinitive

  • It is easy to learn English.
  • It isn’t easy to give up smoking.
  • It is cruel to treat animals in that way.
  • It was impossible to reach there in time.

It + be + subject complement + gerund phrase

  • It is no use arguing with him.
  • It is worth seeing the film.
  • It is no use worrying about it.

It + be + adjective / noun + that-clause

  • It is strange that she should forget me so quickly.
  • It is possible that she doesn’t realize the gravity of the situation.
  • It is doubtful whether he will be able to come.
  • It is fortunate that you escaped unhurt.

It + take + pronoun + time phrase + to-infinitive

  • It took me twenty minutes to reach the station.
  • It only takes me two minutes to get ready.
  • It took him two months to recover from his illness.
  • It took me quite sometime to adjust to the new circumstances.
  • It took her ten years to finish her first book.
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