It is + Adj + Infinitive
Emphasizing an opinion or suggestion
It is + Adjective to…
| INFINITIVE CLAUSE | GERUND CLAUSE | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
We use the expression "It is + adj/noun to" to emphasize information by bringing it to the front of the clause. The subject of an infinitive clause is optionally expressed as [for + noun] (or the accusative pronoun). |
A similar meaning can be expressed with a gerund clause followed by is + adj / noun. |
|||
IT IS + ADJECTIVE It's difficult |
FOR + PRON. for me |
INFINITIVE CLAUSE to guess what will happen each day. |
GERUND CLAUSE Guessing what will happen each day. |
IS + ADJECTIVE is difficult. |
It's hard |
|
to know when a rat will get loose. |
Knowing when a rat will get loose. |
is hard. |
It's impossible |
for us |
to do this project in 24 hours |
Doing this project in 24 hours |
is impossible. |
It's important |
|
to take a break twice a day. |
Taking break twice a day. |
is important |
It's possible |
for you |
to work on your own research project. |
Working on your own research project. |
is possble. |
It's exciting |
for us |
to be here. |
Being here |
is exciting |
It's likely |
for it |
to get cold in the laboratory. |
†Getting cold in the laboratory. |
is likely. |
IT IS + NOUN PHRASE It's a good idea (noun) |
FOR + PRON.
|
INFINITIVE CLAUSE to put on your lab coat. |
GERUND CLAUSE Putting on your lab coat |
IS + NOUN PHRASE is a good idea. |
It's a pleasure (noun) |
for us |
to have you here. |
Having you here |
is a pleasure. |
It's an honor (noun) |
for us |
to work in this lab. |
Working in this lab |
is an honor. |
†The sentence cannot be restated with a gerund clause when "it" refers to climate or weather.
Past tense "It was + adj…")
Also see It–Subj Clauses , It Clefts and It /There Pronouns
Infinitive Clauses
Shortening that-clauses
It Expressions Followed by Clauses
| IT (ADJ) THAT + SUBJUNCTIVE VERB CLAUSE | IT (ADJ) FOR + INFINITIVE CLAUSE | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
It's + adj can be followed by a that-clause with should or a subjunctive verb to express a wish, recommendation or suggestion. The subject is mentioned in the clause. |
Or It's + adj can be followed by an infinitive clause. Use a [for+ noun / pronoun] to include the subject "doer of the activity" of the infinitive clause. (Omit it if it refers to everyone in general. ) |
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EXPRESSION It is important |
THAT that |
SUBJUNCTIVE CLAUSE you be careful at all times. |
EXPRESSION It is important |
FOR + PRON. for you |
INFINITIVE CLAUSE to be careful at all times. |
It is a good idea (noun!) |
that |
Jack close all cages at night. |
It is a good idea |
for Jack |
to close all cages at night. |
It is essential |
that |
it go well. |
It is essential |
for it |
to go well. |
It's not necessary |
that |
they work until 3 a.m. |
It's not necessary |
for them |
work until 3 a.m. |
It is rare |
that |
we wear lab coats. |
It is rare |
for us |
to wear lab coats. |
Infinitive Clause | Imperative Clauses | Order + Pron + Infin
It…for Pattern List
advisable |
dangerous |
difficult |
easy |
essential |
exciting |
a good idea (noun) |
good manners (noun!) |
hard |
impolite |
important |
likely (climate, temperature) |
logical |
necessary |
not easy |
not so hard |
rare |
rude |
smart |
wrong |
It… that Pattern List
a fact |
obvious |
surprising |
unfair |
a well-known fact |
apparent |
strange |
too bad |
a little-known fact |
clear |
transparent |
unfortunate |
true |
a blessing |
a shame |
a pity |
Common Mistakes
| ERROR | FIX |
|---|---|
*It's kind for you to do that. not used |
It's kind of you to do that. Thee xpression focues on the speaker's opinion of person (you) not the the speaker's opinion on how the activity positively or negatively affects the person (you). |
*It's likely for you to come with us. |
It is likely that you will come with us. It's likely to rain today. Mostly used with weather, climate, temperature. See It /There Pronouns |
*Yellow highlighted words are examples of incorrect usage.
Pop-Q "Kind"
Practice
Giving Advice and Suggestions
- Select your response from each menu.
- Then check your answer.
Practice 2
Suggestions for Visiting a City
Change the focus from the activity to the speaker's suggestion about the activity. Use "It (be)" in your response.
- Enter your response in the edit box.
- Compare your response to the answers on the right by clicking the "check" button.