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Yellowstarstruck Posted 10 years ago
Grammar
Same meaning?
Hi! Are all these correct? Are they all the same meaning? For number 1 and 3 was does "It" refer to? It is a pronoun. Thanks, Fulvio
1. It remains to be seen whether or not the operation was successful.
2. Whether or not the operation was successful remains to be seen.
3. It remains to be seen whether the operation was successful or not.
1. It remains to be seen whether or not the operation was successful.
2. Whether or not the operation was successful remains to be seen.
3. It remains to be seen whether the operation was successful or not.
Top answer
They are all correct and have the same meaning. In (1) and (3), "it" stands for the postponed subject "whether or not the operation was successful" or "whether the operation was successful or not". It may be called an "anticipatory it".
- They are all correct and have the same meaning.
- In (1) and (3), "it" stands for the postponed subject "whether or not the operation was successful" or "whether the operation was successful or not".
- It may be called an "anticipatory it".
- This is a fairly common device in English.
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3 Answers
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They are all correct and have the same meaning.
In (1) and (3), "it" stands for the postponed subject "whether or not the operation was successful" or "whether the operation was successful or not". It may be called an "anticipatory it". This is a fairly common device in English.
In (1) and (3), "it" stands for the postponed subject "whether or not the operation was successful" or "whether the operation was successful or not". It may be called an "anticipatory it". This is a fairly common device in English.
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So "it" is the pronoun for the postponed subject? Thanks, Fulvio
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