Sentence starting with 'it'

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Sentence starting with 'it'

by smarri » Mon Aug 16, 2010 11:11 am
Hi,

Is it ok to start a sentence with 'It'?

Wondering ..because 'it' does not have any antecedent.


Is it ok to start a sentence with 'It'? --> This sentence looks ok to me though 'it' does not have an antecedent. So guessing that 'It' can be used to start a sentence, but looking for an explanation.


Thank you

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by Gurpinder » Mon Aug 16, 2010 11:20 am
smarri wrote:Hi,

Is it ok to start a sentence with 'It'?

Wondering ..because 'it' does not have any antecedent.


Is it ok to start a sentence with 'It'? --> This sentence looks ok to me though 'it' does not have an antecedent. So guessing that 'It' can be used to start a sentence, but looking for an explanation.


Thank you
Hmmm.... It is a pronoun, therefore it MUST have an antecedent! Therefore I think its not correct to start a sentence with it!

It = pronoun. Pronoun refers to a subject. Therefore, if there is no subject for "it" to refer to, its incorrect!
"Do not confuse motion and progress. A rocking horse keeps moving but does not make any progress."
- Alfred A. Montapert, Philosopher.

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by smarri » Mon Aug 16, 2010 11:27 am
OG - SC - #50

That educators have not anticipated the impact of microcomputer technology can hardly be said that it is their fault : Alvin Toffler, one of the most prominent students of the future, did not even mention microcomputers in Future Shock, published in 1970


(A) That educators have not anticipated the impact of microcomputer technology can hardly be said that it is their fault to lower the underground water level and to dig trenches
(B)That educators have not anticipated the impact of microcomputer technology can hardly be said to be at fault
(C)It can hardly be said that it is the fault of educators who have not anticipated the impact of microcomputer technology
(D)It can hardly be said that educators are at fault for not anticipating the impact of microcomputer technology
(E)The fact that educators are at fault for not anticipating the impact of microcomputer technology can hardly be said.


OA is D.

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by uwhusky » Mon Aug 16, 2010 11:29 am
You guys are in luck, this topic was posted today: https://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/2010/08/ ... -agreement

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by Gurpinder » Mon Aug 16, 2010 11:37 am
smarri wrote:OG - SC - #50

That educators have not anticipated the impact of microcomputer technology can hardly be said that it is their fault : Alvin Toffler, one of the most prominent students of the future, did not even mention microcomputers in Future Shock, published in 1970
(A) That educators have not anticipated the impact of microcomputer technology can hardly be said that it is their fault
-----plural subject and singular verb
(B)That educators have not anticipated the impact of microcomputer technology can hardly be said to be at fault
-----does not refer to educators
(C)It can hardly be said that it is the fault of educators who have not anticipated the impact of microcomputer technology
----- incorrect verb
(D)It can hardly be said that educators are at fault for not anticipating the impact of microcomputer technology
---plural subject and plural verb
(E)The fact that educators are at fault for not anticipating the impact of microcomputer technology can hardly be said.
-----This one is suggesting that it IS their fault.

The answer D works here!
"Do not confuse motion and progress. A rocking horse keeps moving but does not make any progress."
- Alfred A. Montapert, Philosopher.

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by smarri » Mon Aug 16, 2010 11:44 am
Quick Tip after reading above post:

Because 'it' is not used as a pronoun, that usage is correct.

Eg:
"... it will be difficult to absorb them..."
This actually would actually read - "to absorb them will be difficult."


Thanks guys

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by uwhusky » Mon Aug 16, 2010 12:17 pm
Gurpinder wrote: (D)It can hardly be said that educators are at fault for not anticipating the impact of microcomputer technology
---plural subject and plural verb
The answer D works here!
"that educators are at fault" should be highlighted instead.

"that educators are at fault" can hardly be said for not anticipating...