Skip to main content
rulegym.
Sign in
Rules›It-Constructions

It-Constructions

A2

Use it when English needs a subject but there is no real thing to name: It is cold. It takes time. It seems that Anna is busy.

Start practice →

What you'll learn

  • Use it in weather, time, and distance sentences.
  • Build sentences with It takes ... to ....
  • Say It seems that ... to give an impression.
  • Comment on actions with It is + adjective + to ....
  • Recognize common words that signal this pattern.

Structure

it + be + complement

Use this pattern for weather, time, distance, and general conditions.

it + takes + time + to + verb

Use it at the start; the real action goes after to.

it + seems + that + clause

Use this to give an impression, not a direct fact.

it + be + adjective + to + verb

Use this pattern to comment on an action before naming the action.

Build a sentence

Pattern
Example
Itiscold today

It is cold today.

Use it when English needs a subject for weather or conditions.

When to use

Weather and time

Use it for conditions and clock time: It is windy. It is nine o'clock. No person or thing is the subject here.

Distance

Use it to talk about how far a place is: It is a long walk from the station. English still needs a subject.

Time needed

Use It takes ... to ... to show duration: It takes Maria 30 minutes to cook dinner. The action comes after to.

Impressions

Use it seems that or it looks like/that when you are not stating a hard fact: It seems that Tom is busy.

Markers

coldlatefartakesseemsimportant

In contrast

vs there-is-there-are

Use it for weather, time, distance, and comment patterns. Use there is/are to say that something exists or is present.

Common mistakes

Wrong
Is cold today.
Correct
It is cold today.
English sentences need a subject here, so use it.
Wrong
It takes 20 minutes get there.
Correct
It takes 20 minutes to get there.
After takes + time expression, use to before the action.
Wrong
Seems that Anna is tired.
Correct
It seems that Anna is tired.
This pattern starts with it before seems.
Wrong
It is easy learn English.
Correct
It is easy to learn English.
After the adjective, use to + verb.

Common misconceptions

❝ It must always point to a real thing. ❞

In many English sentences, it is only there because the sentence needs a subject: It is raining. It is late.

❝ After It takes + time, the next verb can stay in the base form. ❞

Use to + verb after the time expression: It takes an hour to finish.

Skills in this rule (5)

USE_IT_FOR_WEATHER_TIME_DISTANCEw5

Use it for weather, time, and distance expressions

Use it when no real person or thing does the action: It is cold. It is late. It is far from here.

USE_IT_WITH_TAKESw5

Use it with takes to talk about time needed

Use it + takes + time expression + to-infinitive to say how much time an action needs. The real action comes after to.

USE_IT_WITH_SEEMS_THATw4

Use it with seems or looks plus that-clause

Use it seems that or it looks like/that to give an impression or opinion. Put the full idea in the clause after that or like.

USE_IT_BE_ADJECTIVE_TOw5

Use it + be + adjective + to-infinitive

Use this pattern to comment on an action: It is easy to learn. It was nice to see you. The adjective comes before the to-verb.

PICK_COMMON_IT_PATTERNSw3

Recognize common words that often appear with it

Notice frequent patterns like cold, late, far, takes, seems, and important. These words often signal an it-construction.

Lock it in with practice
Practice turns rules into long-term memory
Mini practice →