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Grammarian-bot Posted 19 years ago
Grammar

Pronoun

1. The aim of the new regulations is to make it easier for prospective homeowners to have funds available for energy improvement in their new houses.
Does "it" refer to " " in the above sentence? If yes then what such pronouns are called that are followed not preceded by their antecedent?

GB

  

Top answer

If I am not mistaken "it" here is called a preparatory subject. We use it to make sentences easier to read. Without "it," the sentence would read : "The aim of the new regulations is to make having funds available for energy improvement in their houses easier for prospective homeowners.

— Despoula

  • If I am not mistaken "it" here is called a preparatory subject.
  • We use it to make sentences easier to read.
  • Without "it," the sentence would read : "The aim of the new regulations is to make having funds available for energy improvement in their houses easier for prospective homeowners.
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2 Answers
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If I am not mistaken "it" here is called a preparatory subject. We use it to make sentences easier to read. Without "it," the sentence would read :

"The aim of the new regulations is to make having funds available for energy improvement in their houses easier for prospective homeowners.
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I've heard this called 'preparatory it' or 'anticipatory it'.
In this sentence, it is the equivalent of

for prospective homeowners to have funds available for energy improvement in their new houses.

CJ
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