Intermediate 📐 Grammar · #290 of 305

It as Preparatory Subject

Use it to move a long subject to the end.

Examples

  • It is nice to meet you.
  • It is important that you come.

Key rules

  • It can be a preparatory subject for a long subject: It is nice to meet you
  • Pattern: it + be + adjective + to infinitive or that-clause
  • It is important that you come
  • This is more natural than a long subject at the start

Common mistakes

  • To meet you is nice → It is nice to meet you
  • It important to come → It is important to come
💡 Tip: Start with it, end with the long part.
Practise this topic in the appPractise Intermediate quiz
← Either / Neither with OfPassive Gerunds and Infinitives →

Related Intermediate topics

See all Intermediate grammar lessons →

Present Perfect Continuous

have been + -ing stresses duration up to now.

Past Perfect

had + past participle for an earlier past action.

Past Perfect Continuous

had been + -ing for duration before a past moment.

Future Continuous

will be + -ing for actions in progress at a future time.

Future Perfect

will have + past participle for completion before a future time.

Future Perfect Continuous

will have been + -ing for duration up to a future point.