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English grammar

Moving the heavy part to the end: it is worth noting that

C1 · Advanced Building the sentence Questions 10

The rule

English avoids long subjects at the start of a sentence. A clause or infinitive that is the subject moves to the end and a dummy it takes its place: That he resigned surprised nobody becomes It surprised nobody that he resigned; To finish by Friday will be difficult becomes It will be difficult to finish by Friday. Formal writing is full of fixed frames built this way: It is worth noting that, It should be stressed that, It is often argued that, It remains to be seen whether, It goes without saying that, It is no coincidence that, It strikes me as odd that, It came as a surprise that, It makes sense to. With -ing: It’s no use / no good complaining, It’s not worth waiting. The it is obligatory — English does not allow Is important that… — and there cannot replace it (It is difficult to park here, not There is difficult…).

Pattern

It + verb / be + adjective + that-clause / to-infinitive / whether … · It is worth noting / It should be stressed / It remains to be seen / It goes without saying … · It’s no use / no good / not worth + -ing

Examples

  1. It is worth noting that the survey was carried out in winter.

  2. It came as a surprise that so few people applied.

  3. It remains to be seen whether the plan will work.

  4. It’s no use complaining; the decision has been made.

Common mistakes

  • Wrong: Is important that you arrive on time.

    Right: It is important that you arrive on time.

    English needs a subject: the dummy it.

  • Wrong: There is difficult to find parking here.

    Right: It is difficult to find parking here.

    Use it, not there, before an adjective and an infinitive.

  • Wrong: It’s no use to complain.

    Right: It’s no use complaining.

    It’s no use + -ing.

Practice questions

Try each one yourself first, then open “Show answer” for the solution and the reason.

  1. 1Change the sentence.

    Move the long subject to the end.

    That the project failed surprised nobody.

    1. It surprised nobody the project that failed.
    2. It surprised nobody that the project failed.
    3. It was surprised nobody that the project failed.
    4. There surprised nobody that the project failed.
    Show answer

    Answer: B It surprised nobody that the project failed.

    Dummy it first, the that-clause at the end.

  2. 2Choose the correct sentence.

    1. It goes without saying that safety comes first.
    2. Goes without saying that safety comes first it.
    3. It goes without to say that safety comes first.
    4. It goes without saying safety that comes first.
    Show answer

    Answer: A It goes without saying that safety comes first.

    It goes without saying that = obviously.

  3. 3Fill in the gap.

    It’s not worth _____ the car for such a short trip.

    1. take
    2. to take
    3. taken
    4. taking
    Show answer

    Answer: D It’s not worth taking the car for such a short trip.

    It’s not worth + -ing.

  4. 4Choose the correct sentence.

    What does the writer mean?

    It remains to be seen whether the new rules will be enforced.

    1. The rules have already been enforced.
    2. The rules will certainly not be enforced.
    3. Nobody knows yet if the rules will be enforced.
    4. Everyone can see the rules being enforced.
    Show answer

    Answer: C Nobody knows yet if the rules will be enforced.

    It remains to be seen whether = it is not yet known.

  5. 5This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    Is essential to book at least a week in advance.

    1. It is essential to book at least a week in advance.
    2. It is essential booking at least a week in advance.
    3. There is essential to book at least a week in advance.
    4. It is essential that book at least a week in advance.
    Show answer

    Answer: A It is essential to book at least a week in advance.

    The dummy it is obligatory.

  6. 6Put the words in the right order.

    It is no coincidence that sales rose in December

    Show answer

    Answer: It is no coincidence that sales rose in December.

    It is no coincidence that = there is a reason.

  7. 7Choose the correct sentence.

    1. It strikes me as odd that nobody has complained.
    2. Strikes me as odd it that nobody has complained.
    3. It strikes me odd as that nobody has complained.
    4. It strikes to me as odd that nobody has complained.
    Show answer

    Answer: A It strikes me as odd that nobody has complained.

    It strikes me as + adjective + that.

  8. 8Fill in the gap.

    You are writing an academic essay.

    It should be _____ that the sample was very small.

    1. to stress
    2. stress
    3. stressing
    4. stressed
    Show answer

    Answer: D It should be stressed that the sample was very small.

    Passive frame: It should be stressed that.

  9. 9Change the sentence.

    Move the long subject to the end.

    To find a flat in this city is almost impossible.

    1. It is to find a flat in this city almost impossible.
    2. It is almost impossible to find a flat in this city.
    3. There is almost impossible to find a flat in this city.
    4. It is almost impossible finding to a flat in this city.
    Show answer

    Answer: B It is almost impossible to find a flat in this city.

    Dummy it, then the adjective, then the infinitive.

  10. 10Choose the correct sentence.

    Which is right for a formal report?

    Pointing out a limitation.

    1. Heads up: only one region in the data.
    2. The data only cover one region, by the way.
    3. Just so you know, the data only cover one region.
    4. It should be noted that the data cover only one region.
    Show answer

    Answer: D It should be noted that the data cover only one region.

    It should be noted that is the formal frame.

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