The antecedent for pronoun "IT"

Question

"It" can have an antecedent and sometimes it works as a dummy subject(forgot the exact terms used someone mentioned in one post). I always get confused where it should have an antecedent and where it should not.
For instance--

she is going out, and it is raining today (no antecedent)

She is working on a case, and it is not getting resolved.(it refers to case)

Above were very simple examples, so anyone can easily identify in which sentence "it" should have antecedent; however, this is not the case with GMAT SC sentences. They are complex. Please help how to identify when "it" should have antecedent and when "it" should not

Nevernevergiveup · Answer

In general, you can try replacing technique frequently used in pronouns to check for the right antecedent. In case of dummy subjects, it is preferred when it is simplest way of expressing the intended meaning of the sentence. like being is only preferred at times when we cant say anything better without using it. can we say it is raining today in other simpler form. I believe NO. you can have a look at this article and also go through pronouns basic concepts for more clarity. Also check this link https://gmatclub.com/forum/pronouns-usa ... 28203.html

ccooley · Answer

The 'dummy it' is only used in certain, very specific situations. If you learn to recognize those situations, you're good.

On the GMAT, the most common case where you'll see a 'dummy it' is in sentences like this:

It is surprising that unemployment has decreased.
It was considered unusual for her to wake up before noon. 
Based on the evidence available, it could be claimed that the trial had been unsuccessful.

Notice what those sentences have in common:

(dummy it) ('be' verb) (adjective or another verb) (rest of the sentence)

So, if you see something like this:

It is good that I won.

That fits the pattern, and you don't need to look for an antecedent for 'it'.

But if you see this:

'It is nice.'

The rest of the sentence is missing, so you'd need an antecedent.

Or if you see this:

'It surprised me.'

The 'be verb' is missing, so you need an antecedent.

EducationAisle · Answer

Hi AR15J, it is slightly fallacious to think of  it  as  not  referring to anything. That is very  unlikely  to happen on GMAT.

However, a unique feature about  it  is that  it  can appear  before  the antecedent (the  noun/noun-phrase  that  it  is referring to). For example:

It takes great courage to prevail amidst uncertainty.

A casual look at the above sentence might suggest that  it  does  not  refer to any noun. However, a closer look would reveal that  it  does refer to a phrase ( to prevail amidst uncertainty ) that appears  later  in the sentence. The sentence basically is:

It (to prevail amidst uncertainty) takes great courage.

In fact, there typically are following two scenarios when a pronoun can appear  before  the antecedent:
i) When the pronoun appears as a part of the introductory modifier 
ii) Pronoun “ it ” appearing before the antecedent Sometimes

p.s. Our book    EducationAisle Sentence Correction Nirvana    discusses  both the above scenarios , their application and examples in significant detail. If someone is interested, PM me your email-id; I can mail the corresponding section.

AR15J · Answer

Thanks everyone for the great input.

Hi EducationAisle,

1.I am finding it difficult to clear GMAT

here "it" refers to "to clear GMAT"

but the below sentence looks awkward to me

2.I am finding to clear GMAT difficult

3. I am finding difficult to clear GMAT

Why "It" is required to refer "to clear GMAT" within the same sentence and both ("it" and the antecedent--to clear GMAT) in the objective form?

EducationAisle · Answer

Rather than doing a word on word substitution, think about it this way: I am finding difficult. Finding difficult? Answer: to clear GMAT.

The antecedent for pronoun "IT"

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