In
grammar
In linguistics, the grammar of a natural language is its set of structural constraints on speakers' or writers' composition of clauses, phrases, and words. The term can also refer to the study of such constraints, a field that includes domain ...
, a preparatory subject or anticipatory subject is a
subject which represents a verb clause later in the
sentence. ''It'' as a preparatory subject is "commonly used in speech and writing, especially when the subject is longer than the complement and is better placed at the end of the sentence".
Examples
:''It is fun to play the piano''
is
equivalent
Equivalence or Equivalent may refer to:
Arts and entertainment
*Album-equivalent unit, a measurement unit in the music industry
* Equivalence class (music)
*'' Equivalent VIII'', or ''The Bricks'', a minimalist sculpture by Carl Andre
*''Equiva ...
to
:''Playing the piano is fun''
"It" in the first sentence is a preparatory subject, referring to the clause "to play the piano".
[English Grammar: It as a preparatory subject]
Notes
External links
English grammar: It as a preparatory subject
Grammar
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