What does it stand for?

Question

In the below sentences it seems that the underlined it represents "his thoughts" in the sense of context. but the problem to me is "his thoughts" is plural. The next sentence convince my argument. Relative pronoun referring to "thoughts" has plural verb "have."

Could you solve my dilemma?

It is unsatisfactory and even painful to the thinker himself, if he is not permitted to communicate his thoughts to others, and it is obviously of no value to his neighbours. Moreover it is extremely difficult to hide thoughts that have any power over the mind.

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

In the below sentences it seems that the underlined it represents "his thoughts" in the sense of context. but the problem to me is "his thoughts" is plural. The next sentence convince my argument. Relative pronoun referring to "thoughts" has plural verb "have."

Could you solve my dilemma?

It is unsatisfactory and even painful to the thinker himself, if he is not permitted to communicate his thoughts to others, and it is obviously of no value to his neighbours. Moreover it is extremely difficult to hide thoughts that have any power over the mind.

It's not a very clearly written sentence. But I'd say that 'it' refers to the condition that he is not permitted to communicate his thoughts.

A simpler example is 'If he dies, it will be unfortunate'.

Clive

CalifJim · Answer

Stenka25Could you solve my dilemma?

Yes, I think so.

These are patterns with "dummy it".

Here's the usual pattern. Note how the subject moves to the end of the sentence and "it" (called "dummy it") takes its place:

That we arrive on time is important. >> It is important that we arrive on time.

To think about taxes is very painful. >> It is very painful to think about taxes.

To hide thoughts that have any power over the mind is extremely difficult. >>

It is extremely difficult to hide thoughts that have any power over the mind.

Be sure you understand the examples above before continuing with the explanation below.

_________

Here's a variant of the "dummy it" pattern with an if-clause. it represents the situation described in the if-clause.

If { X }, {X} is {adjective}. >> If { X }, it is {adjective}.

If someone talks too loudly on a cell phone in public, (the content of the if-clause) is annoying.

If someone talks too loudly on a cell phone in public, this 'talking too loudly ...' is annoying.

If someone talks too loudly on a cell phone in public, it is annoying.

It is annoying if someone talks too loudly on a cell phone in public.

In the text you quoted,

If he is not permitted to communicate his thoughts to others, this 'not being permitted ...' is unsatisfactory and even painful to the thinker himself, and this 'not being permitted ...' is obviously of no value to his neighbours.

Substituting it for the content of the if-clause,

If he is not permitted to communicate his thoughts to others, it is unsatisfactory and even painful to the thinker himself, and it is obviously of no value to his neighbours.

Rearranging the parts,

It is unsatisfactory and even painful to the thinker himself, and it is obviously of no value to his neighbours if he is not permitted to communicate his thoughts to others.

And rearranging once again,

It is unsatisfactory and even painful to the thinker himself, if he is not permitted to communicate his thoughts to others, and it is obviously of no value to his neighbours.

_____________

By the way, these patterns are also often seen with when instead of if.

It is annoying when someone talks too loudly on a cell phone in public.

CJ

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