It + be + complementUse this pattern for weather, time, dates, and distance. It does not point to a thing in the room.
It vs There as Dummy Subjects
B1Use it for weather, time, distance, and comments like It seems strange. Use there is/are to say that something exists or appears.
What you'll learn
- Use it for weather, time, dates, and distance.
- Use it with seem and appear to comment on a situation.
- Use there is or there are to introduce something that exists.
- Choose is or are from the noun after there.
- Pick it or there from the meaning, not from the first word you want to say.
Structure
It + seem/appear + complement or clauseUse it when the sentence gives an impression or comment about a situation.
There + be + noun (+ place/time)Use there + be to say that something exists or is present. Choose is/are from the noun after it.
Build a sentence
Pattern
Content
Itiscold today
It is cold today.
Weather uses it.
When to use
Weather and time
Use it for conditions around you and clock time: It is windy. It is 8:30. The sentence does not introduce a thing; it gives a general condition.
New information
Use there is/are when you present something new: There is a message on your desk. There are two people outside.
General comments
Use it in comments and impressions: It seems quiet here. It appears that Maria is right.
Markers
coldlatefarthere isthere areit seemsit appears
In contrast
vs there-is-there-are
This rule chooses between it and there. The rule there-is-there-are goes deeper into forms, negatives, and questions with there + be.
Common mistakes
Wrong
There is cold today.
Correct
It is cold today.
Weather uses it, not there. The sentence gives a general condition.
Wrong
There seems that Anna is upset.
Correct
It seems that Anna is upset.
Use it with seems when you comment on a whole situation.
Wrong
It is a problem in the system.
Correct
There is a problem in the system.
Use there is to introduce a problem as existing.
Wrong
There is two tickets on the table.
Correct
There are two tickets on the table.
After there, the verb matches the noun that follows. Two tickets is plural, so use are.
Wrong
There is difficult to park here.
Correct
It is difficult to park here.
Use it for a general comment about the situation. There is introduces a thing, not an opinion about parking.
Common misconceptions
❝ It and there mean the same thing, so I can choose either one. ❞
They do different jobs. It gives a general condition or comment; there introduces something that exists.
❝ There always talks about a place. ❞
In there is/there are, there helps introduce existence. It does not mean a specific place by itself.
Skills in this rule (5)
IT_FOR_WEATHER_TIME_DISTANCEw5Use it for weather, time, and distance
Use it when no person or thing is the real subject: weather, clock time, dates, and distance. Say It is cold, It is late, It is Monday, It is five miles.
IT_WITH_SEEM_APPEARw4Use it with seem and appear before an adjective or clause
Use it in patterns like It seems strange or It appears that Tom is busy. The sentence comments on a situation, not on a thing in the room.
THERE_IS_FOR_EXISTENCEw5Use there is or there are to say that something exists
Use there + be when you introduce something for the first time or say that it exists in a place or situation. Say There is a problem, There are two chairs in the kitchen.
MATCH_BE_TO_NOUN_AFTER_THEREw5Choose is or are from the noun after there
With there + be, the verb matches the noun that comes next. Use is with a singular noun and are with a plural noun.
CHOOSE_IT_OR_THERE_BY_MEANINGw5Choose it or there from the meaning of the sentence
Choose it when the sentence gives a general condition or comment. Choose there when the sentence introduces a person or thing as existing.