Syntax - přednášky

• It is a shame that Tom isn’t here.

When we arrive doesn’t matter. – SV – “when we arrive” – SV - finite clause
EXTRAPOSITION = The subject is moved (extraposed) to the end of the sentence, and the normal subject position is filled by the INTRODUCTORY IT.

The resulting sentence – 2 subjects - postponed S – notional

Introductory S – IT

• Tendency in English to put longer parts of a sentence towards the end – giving them end-weight. IT construction often more acceptable than the corresponding normal WO construction.

Common when the notional S is: INFINITIVE

- ING CLAUSE

NOMINAL CLAUSE

To teach her is a pleasure. – nominal clause It is a pleasure to teach her.

Getting the equipment was easy. – nominal clause It was easy getting the equipment.

That Tom isn´t here is a shame. It is a shame that Tom isn´t here.

When we arrive doesn´t matter. It doesn´t matter when we arrive.

IT combines with:

Adjectives: difficult, easy, important .....

Nouns: fun, pleasure ..........

Verbs: appears, happen, seem, look, follow …. NO possible normal WO equivalent

Introductory IT

True or false?

1. This is another term for preparatory IT. - True

1. We never use introductory IT with a that-clause. - False

1. Introductory IT replaces a subject clause, which goes to the end of a sentence. - True

1. Any kind of a noun clause can take introductory IT.- False

1. The postponed clause is still the notional subject of the sentence. - True

1. Sometimes we delete that from a postponed that-clause. - True

1. Introductory IT is another name for empty IT. – False

1. All introductory IT sentences have an alternative normal sequence. - ???

Underline the notional subject clause which introductory it replaces in the following sentences and say whether the normal word order for each sentence would be acceptable or impossible.

It happened that I saw him in the High Street. impossible (we can't use normal WO after certain verbs – to happen is one of them)

It would be a pity to sell them. To sell them would be a pity.

It soon became clear that the war would last a long time. That the war would last a long time soon became clear.

Can it be true that your aunt is younger than you? impossible (It's a question)

It seems that we have met before somewhere. impossible – after “seem”

Rephrase the following using introductory it:

Parting is such sweet sorrow.

→It is such sweet sorrow to part/parting.

To arrive five minutes late will be regarded as polite.

→ It will be regarded polite to arrive five minutes late.

When the murder took place was never really clear.

→ It was never really clear when the murder took place.

That he was old was acceptable, but that he was old and poor was sad.

→ It was acceptable that he was old, but it was sad that he was old and poor.

For Winston to be seen in public without a cigar was unusual.

→ It was unusual for Winston to be seen in public without a cigar.

Exercises – wish clauses - supply the correct form for the following wishes