Common mistake Grammar
It and there as subjects
Missing subjects: “Is possible that ...” and how to fix it
A sentence with no subject, often a missing "it" or "there" (for example "Is important to rest.", "Has many problems in the city."). In short: An English sentence needs a subject.
This guide is for writers moving from B1 to B2 or from B2 to C1.
The rule for missing subjects
An English sentence needs a subject. Say “It is important to rest”, not “Is important to rest”, and “There are many problems”, not “Are many problems”.
Pattern: It is + adjective + to ... (It is important to rest). There is / There are + noun (There are many problems). It for weather, time and distance.
Used correctly: a dummy "it" or "there" used correctly where learners often leave it out (for example "It is important to rest.", "There are many problems in the city.").
Use this when a sentence seems to need no subject. English sentences always need one, even an empty one: it or there.
Missing subjects: wrong and right examples
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Wrong
Ispossible that prices will fall next year.Right It is possible that prices will fall next year.
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Wrong
Havemany problems with traffic in this area.Right There are many problems with traffic in this area.
More right sentences
- It is difficult to find a cheap flat here.
- There are several reasons for this.
- It takes two hours to get to the coast.
Traps to avoid with missing subjects
- Not "Is important to ...": It is important to ...
- "There" brings in something new; "it" points to a known thing: "There is a park near me. It is beautiful."