Frequently Asked Questions
Grammar
It is raining. In this sentence there is no reference to what 'it' is. Can this sentence stand alone as grammatically correct?
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There is nothing wrong with sentences of this type. Grammar books give different names to it: the Oxford English Grammar by Sidney Greenbaum calls it prop it. The pronoun it has four uses: referring, anticipatory, cleft and prop ... Prop it (or empty it) is used to fill the place of a required function - generally the subject - but has little or no meaning. It is particularly frequent in expressions referring to weather and time:
It's really hot in here
It's a bit late now Prop it also occurs in functions other than as subject, including some idiomatic expressions:
She insisted on going it alone
I'm just taking it easy
Other questions in this section:How do I know when to put an apostrophe in it's?
If someone is doing a master's degree in the arts is it an MA or a MA?
In the sentence 'It is raining' what is 'it'?
Is 'agenda' singular or plural?
Is 'data' singular or plural?
Is it acceptable to use 'they' instead of 'he' or 'she'?
Should I use a singular or a plural verb with collective nouns such as 'government', 'committee', and 'family'?
Should I write 'a number of people is' or 'a number of people are'?
What are the plurals of 'octopus', 'hippopotamus', 'syllabus'?
What is a split infinitive, and why should I avoid using one?
What is the word for 'the whole is greater than the sum of the parts'?
When should I use 'less', and when should I use 'fewer'?
Which is correct: 'a hotel' or 'an hotel'?
Which is correct: 'a person was laid on the table' or 'a person was lain on the table'?
Which is correct: 'my friend and me' or 'my friend and I'?
Which is the correct spelling: 'oriented' or 'orientated'?
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