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Preparatory it: subject

It’s nice to talk to you.​

When the subject of a clause is an infinitive expression, this does not normally come at the beginning. We usually prefer to start with the ‘preparatory subject’ it, and to put the infinitive expression later (long or complicated items are often put towards the end of a sentence, (see here). Preparatory it is common before be + adjective/noun.

  • It’s nice to talk to you. (More natural than To talk to you is nice.)
  • It was good of you to phone.
  • It was stupid of you to leave the door unlocked.
  • It’s important to reserve in advance.
  • It’s my ambition to run a three-hour marathon.
  • It was a pleasure to listen to her.
  • It upsets me to hear people arguing all the time.

It can also be a preparatory subject for for + object + infinitive (see here).

  • It will suit me best for you to arrive at about ten o’clock.
  • It’s essential for the papers to be ready before Thursday.

It’s probable that we’ll be late.​

We also use preparatory it when the subject of a clause is itself a clause beginning with that, what, how, etc.

  • It’s probable that we’ll be a little late.
  • It doesn’t interest me what you think.
  • It’s surprising how many unhappy marriages there are.
  • It’s exciting when a baby starts talking.

It was nice seeing you.​

It can be a preparatory subject for an -ing form. This is usually informal.

  • It was nice seeing you.
  • It’s crazy her going off like that.
  • It’s worth going to Wales if you have the time.
  • It’s no use trying to explain – I’m not interested.
  • It surprised me you not remembering my name.
note

For more information about structures with worth, (see here).

For there as a preparatory subject with any/no use, (see here).

It takes … + infinitive​

Note the common use of this structure to say how much time is necessary (see here).

  • It took me months to get to know her.
  • How long does it take to get to London from here?

if, as if and as though​

It is used to introduce some clauses with if, as if and as though.

  • It looks as if we’re going to have trouble with Anna again.
  • It’s not as if this was the first time she’s been difficult.
  • It will be a pity if we have to ask her to leave.
  • But it looks as though we may have to.

It’s amazing the way they work together.​

It is not normally used as a preparatory subject for noun phrases.

  • The new concert hall is wonderful. (not It’s wonderful the new concert hall.)

But in an informal style, it can be a preparatory subject for noun + relative clause.

  • It’s wonderful the enthusiasm that the children show.

This is very common with the way …

  • It’s amazing the way (that) they work together.
  • It’s strange the way you know what I’m thinking.
note

For passive structures with it as a preparatory subject, (see here).

Preparatory it not possible for complements​

It can be used as a preparatory subject, or as a preparatory object (see here), but not as a preparatory complement.

  • This chair is comfortable to sit on. but not It is comfortable to sit on this chair. (to sit on is the complement of comfortable.)
  • The impression was given that travel expenses would be paid. but not It was given the impression that travel expenses would be paid. (that travel expenses … is the complement of the impression.)