Empty It

This video explains the use of "empty it," otherwise called "non-referential it," in its common uses in English, such as "It's a long way to school" or "It's so interesting to learn English grammar!" or in object position: "I find it strange that you didn't want to come."

[@teacherney]

It’s clear that you’re the best teacher on KZbin. Thank you so much for such a great explanation.

[@JeanietheEnglishTeacher]

Thank you for such a lovely and grammatically-appropriate comment!

[@englishlearner1602]

You explained clearly.I got it thanks a lot from Kathmandu Nepal.

[@JeanietheEnglishTeacher]

I'm glad to hear it!

[@xrz7990]

Your lessens are so great！I like them very much. I hope you to get a lavalier microphone. It will bring you multiple followers.

[@JeanietheEnglishTeacher]

I'm glad you like the lessons. Thank you for the feedback; I am working on improving the sound quality.

[@xrz7990]

​@@JeanietheEnglishTeacher I have watched all your lessons; they're helpful, I like them all. Your way of explanation is better than most teachers on youtube. Thank you very much !

[@lakshmanankomathmanalath]

You are so sincere and a great teacher. Thank you.

[@JeanietheEnglishTeacher]

Thanks so much!

[@abotammemalahmady3641]

Beautiful

[@JeanietheEnglishTeacher]

Thank you!

[@abubakramine5913]

Amazing. I see it as a good oppertunity to learn English with you. Indeed I like the way you explain the grammar.

[@JeanietheEnglishTeacher]

I'm glad you are benefiting! And nice job incorporating the grammar! :)

[@luisatovar9059]

Thank you. Good videos.

[@JeanietheEnglishTeacher]

I'm glad you like them!

[@ichrakankaik5138]

Thank you.

[@JeanietheEnglishTeacher]

You're welcome!

[@ahmedwissam6194]

Thank you

[@JeanietheEnglishTeacher]

You're welcome!

[@mariamkinen8036]

Basic .i used to teach. TY.

[@enjoywatching2700]

very helpful

[@JeanietheEnglishTeacher]

I'm glad to hear that!

[@ichrakankaik5138]

I'm from Morroco.I like you explanation ❤❤.

[@JeanietheEnglishTeacher]

Thank you! 😃

[@readingaddict]

I like the video

[@JeanietheEnglishTeacher]

I'm glad to hear it!

[@The_Reaper86]

I know this is a rather stupid question or, if I may, dummy question, but can we just use It as a empty IT + To be/Linking Verb + Noun?

[@JeanietheEnglishTeacher]

Do you have an example in mind that you are wondering about? Here is one that comes to my mind: It's a miracle!

[@samin21]

someone told me about this rule . In the "Active voice" Sentence with "transitive verb" but there is no "OBJECT". For changing into Passive voice we use "IT" as subject in passive voice. Active voice)--- 1) you buy in the market . 2) he is watching in cinema hall. 3) you have written in library. Here there is no object in these sentences so We used "IT" as "SUBJECT" in PASSIVE VOICE. 1) It is buy in the market by you . 2) It is being watched in cinema hall by him. 3) It has been written in the library by you. So question is )-- "IT" word is used as "Dummy Subject" OR used as "meaningful" (refferal "It") in passive. And This rule is correct or incorrect.

[@JeanietheEnglishTeacher]

I don't agree with this "rule." If a verb is transitive, then there is a direct object. So, you can't talk about a transitive verb without an object. Let's talk about your example sentences. #1: "buy" is only a transitive verb, so the sentence you gave doesn't work (at least, not in American English). #2 and #3: "watch" and "write" are verbs that can be transitive OR intransitive. When you don't have a direct object, you are using the INTRANSITIVE verb "watch" or "write," not the transitive "watch" or "write." None of the sentences you give can be changed from active to passive. The sentence "He is watching it in the theater" can be changed to "It is being watched in the theater;" and "You have written it in the library" can be changed to "It has been written in the library." Also, "You buy it at the market" can be changed to "It is bought at the market." None of these "it" subjects are dummy "it," because the "it" is a referent to some specific item.

[@mohammedhusam9609]

First Of all thank you for this videos. How we can Differentiae between mepty (it) and others?

[@JeanietheEnglishTeacher]

Hi Mohammed - I'm not sure why you would need to differentiate between empty and non-empty it, but the quick answer would be that if you can say that "it" refers to a certain item, usually a previously mentioned item, then it is not empty it: "Thanks so much for the sweater! I love it!" ('It' refers back to the sweater, so it is not an empty it.) It's only when 'it' is just a grammatical placeholder, such as the 'it' that I used at the beginning of this sentence, that we would call it an empty it. Does that help?

[@mohammedhusam9609]

@@JeanietheEnglishTeacher thanks.