Preparatory subject

In grammar, a preparatory subject or anticipatory subject[1][2] 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".[3]

Examples

It is fun to play the piano

is equivalent to

Playing the piano is fun

"It" in the first sentence is a preparatory subject, referring to the clause "to play the piano".[4]

Notes

  1. ↑ Novalearn: Anticipatory subject
  2. ↑ Grammar glossary
  3. ↑ "What is the Anticipatory 'It' in English Grammar?". Archived from the original on 2016-06-21. Retrieved 2016-06-12.
  4. ↑ English Grammar: It as a preparatory subject


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