Grammar

1)   it

You can use it as the subject of alink verb such as “be”. Usually it refers to something that has justbeen mentioned. You can also use it as the subject of be to say whatthe time, distance or weather is. You can use it with a link verb and an adjective to describe an experience.After the adjective, you use an “-ing” form or a “to” infinitive. You can useit with a link verb and an adjective to describe the experience of being in aparticular place. After the adjective, you use an adjunct of place. You can useit with an adjective or noun group to comment on a whole situation. After theadjective or noun group, you use a “that” clause. You can sometimes use a “wh” clauseinstead of a “that” clause

Forexample:

Ilike your British accent. I think it’s quite attractive. (something justmentioned)

It’sseven o’clock. (time)

It wasterribly cold. (weather)

It’snice hearing your voice again. (an experience)

It’simportant to know your own limitations. (an action)

Itwas cozy in the car. (a place)

Itis lucky that I am going abroad. (a situation)

It’sfunny how people change. (a situation)

 

Practice

Rewrite the following sentences, beginningwith It.

1.       Getting annoyed is no good.

2.      Wherethe sound was coming from was far from clear.

3.      Tomake a living from her painting is impossible.

4.       That you already know my secret isobvious.

 

5.      Ifthe two countries don’t reach an agreement soon will be surprising.

6.      Losses are not much greater is a wonder.

2) there … 

When you want to say thatsomething exists, or when you want to mention the presence of something, youcan use “there” followed by “be” and a noun group. The noun group is usuallyfollowed by an adjunct, a wh-clause, or one of the adjectives “available”,“present”, or “free”.

For example:

There’s alot of traffic on this road tonight.

There willbe no one to help you.

Practice  Insert it + be or there + be in the following sentences.

1.      ____________freezing very hard. ___________ ice on the lake tomorrow.

2.       __________ a garage behind the hotel?

–Yes,but __________ rather full. I don’t think __________ room for your car.

__________going to be a bus strike tomorrow. ___________ all right if _________ a fineday; but if __________ wet ____________ long queues on the underground.

3.      ___________foolish to drive fast when ___________ foggy.

4.       __________ a knock at his door.“________me. Are you in?” Somebody said urgently.

 

5.      ___________a revolver lying there. __________borrowed from myneighbour.

3) Conjunctions

A conjunction is a word whichlinks two clauses, groups, or words. There are two kinds of conjunction: coordinatingconjunctions and subordinating conjunctions. If you are simplylinking clauses, you use a coordinating conjunction. When you are adding aclause in order to develop some aspect of what you are saying, you use asubordinating conjunction.

Thecoordinating conjunctions are: and, but, nor, or, then, yet.

Some ofthe most frequent subordinating conjunctions are:

although, despite, though, when, as, if, unless, whenever, because, inspite of, whereas, while.

For example:

Her sonlives at home and has a steady job. (coordinating conjunction)

Visityour local dealer or phone for a brochure. (coordinating conjunction)

He had canceralthough it was detected at an early stage. (subordinating conjunction)

If he had had a gun, he would havekilled the man. (subordinating conjunction)

Practice

Fill in the blankswith appropriate conjunctions.

1.       __________ in doubt, most driversapply the brakes.

2.       Mary wrote down the address___________ she should forget.

3.       I will come, __________ you askedme.

4.       did you buy your curtains ________doyou make your own?

5.       _________she was eighteen, hermother didn’t like her to stay out late.

6.       Make sure you get plenty of rest,__________you don’t fall asleep at work.