(共26张PPT)
Unit 4
Breaking
boundaries
Using language
It as an empty subject
BY MICHELLE
Look at the sentences and answer the questions. Sentences (a) and (c) are from the reading passage.
1 What does “it” refer to in sentences (a) and (c)
2 Why does the author choose to use sentences (a) and (c) instead of (b) and (d)
a But it is vital not to take any chances.
b But not to take any chances is vital.
c It is important to remember that Ebola doesn’t respect national boundaries.
d To remember that Ebola doesn’t respect national boundaries is important.
The first sentences in each group use “it” as an empty subject at the beginning of the sentences. The reason why sentences (a) and (c) are chosen is that the sentences are kept balanced and the key information of the sentences is emphasised.
Now look for more sentences with this structure in the reading passage, and summarise its use in your own words.
I felt it was my duty as a doctor to go there and offer my help.
It is so inspiring to have colleagues like Wilton, Maisy and Alfonso, ...
..., it is absolutely essential for us all to collaborate to create a global community with a shared future of peace and prosperity.
It as an empty subject
It 作形式主语
通常it作为形式主语,在句中没有实际意义,只是满足语法需要,起到一个平衡句子结构,避免句子头重脚轻的作用。
概念
把下列的句子变成用it的形式主语句。
1. To say goodbye is difficult for me.
It is difficult for me to say goodbye .
2. Playing too many computer games is a waste of time.
It is a waste of time playing too many computer games.
It is obvious that he is clever.
3.That he is clever is obvious.
It as an empty subject
It 作形式主语
类型
通常it代替不定时、动名词、从句充当主语,起到一个平衡句子结构,避免句子头重脚轻的作用。
类型
1. 代表不定式
(1) It + be + 形容词 + 不定式
It is difficult to translate the book.
(2) It + be + 名词 + 不定式
It was her duty to clean the room.
(3) It + be + 介词短语 + 不定式
It was against my principle to do that.
(4) It + 及物动词 + 宾语 + 不定式
It cost 150 yuan to buy the dress.
在“It+be+形容词+for/of sb.to do sth.”句型
中,如果形容词描述的是sb.,则应用介词of;
如果描述的是to do sth.就用for。
It's necessary for us to use a short wave radio to pick up the programmes.
我们用一台短波收音机收听这些节目是必要的。
It was foolish of him to give up the job.
他放弃那工作是愚蠢的。
类型
2. 代表动名词
it 代表动名词时,一般以“be + 名词”作谓语,也可以以“be + 形容词”作谓语。常限于no good, no use, useless, waste等词的后面。
It is no good/ use having a car if you can't drive.
It is a waste of time watching TV
It is no use asking him.
类型
3. 代表从句
It + be + ……从句,具体可以分为四种类型:
(1)it + be + 形容词 + 从句
It is clear that he told a lie.
(2)it + be + 名词 + 从句
It is a pity that you can't come.
(3)it + 动词的被动语态 + 从句
It is said that he is friendly.
(4)it + be/其他系动词 + 从句
It may seem that you’re wasting your life away.
It as an empty subject
It 作形式主语
句型
It is clear / obvious / true / possible / certain / … that…
It is important / necessary/ right / strange / natural / …that… (should) do…
It is said / reported / learnt / …that…
It is suggested / ordered / required /…that... (should) do...
It is a pity / shame / …that…
It happens / seems / looks /appears /…that…
It as an empty subject
It 作形式主语
句型
It + be + adj. + of sb + to do…
It + be + adj. + for sb + to do
① It is kind of you to think so much of us.
② It's nice of you to help me.
③ It's dangerous for us to swim in such deep pool.
④ It's necessary for us to study hard.
形容词为描述人品质及性格特征的词。常用的形容词有clever/
foolish/good/
nice/polite/kind等。
形容词为描述事物特征的词,常用的形容词有difficult / important / easy / hard/ necessary/ impossible/ dangerous等。
It as an empty subject
It 作形式主语
句型
It doesn’t matter whether / if …
It looks /seems as if …
It takes …(some time) to do…
It + be + a waste of time doing…
It is/was no good/use doing…
It is/was worth/worthwhile doing…
用法
类型
it作为形式主语,代替句子的逻辑主语,并无实际词义。这可以保持句子的结构平衡,避免主语太长,显得头重脚轻。
it作形式主语
It指代不定式
It指代动名词
It指代从句
Rewrite the underlined parts using it as an empty subject.
it is no longer quite so difficult for women and minorities to get roles in American film and television
it is now a more realistic hope for minority actors to become a leading actor in Hollywood
it is more common than before for women to write and direct Hollywood films
it is seen as acceptable by film studios to cast white actors as Asian characters
Describe the city using the information provided and it as an empty subject.
Beijing today is multicultural. It is not a surprising thing for students to see different skin colours in the same class.
It is possible for people to hear many different languages and dialects.
It is easy for people to find products from all over the world.
It is not difficult for foreigners to settle down and find a job.
It is a common thing for people from different countries to work in the same company.
Describe one of the cities using it as an empty subject where appropriate. Do online research if necessary.
Toronto
Shanghai
London
Sydney
The global village
Read the passage and answer the questions. Pay attention to the expressions in bold.
What phenomenon does the passage describe
What effect does technology have on cultural exchange
It describes the phenomenon of the “global village” as related to the promotion of technological and cultural exchange.
Technology enables us to form close connections with people of completely different cultures and gives us quick and easy access to other cultures and lifestyles.
Complete the letter with the correct form of the expressions.
bringing people together channels of communication form close connections with
window on the world be more inclusive culture shock a joint effort mutual benefits
culture shock
form close connections with
a joint effort
mutual benefits
bring people together
window on the world
be more inclusive
Listen to the conversation and choose the main idea.
1 More and more foreign words and expressions are entering the English language, especially those about food.
2 Chinese food is popular in the UK, and many Chinese words and expressions are entering English dictionaries as a result.
3 Intercultural communication is increasing, and people all over the world have a better understanding of each other.
4 World sports are bringing people together in the same way that food is.
Listen again and complete the table.
Phenomena Examples
More and more 1_______________________ into dictionaries these days. From Devon: grockle
From Chinese: wok, chow mein, 2________ and chop suey
Besides words, changes also happen to 3____________________________________. In a large Asian supermarket, there are 4_______________ from Asia.
There are 5____________________ in the male speaker’s city, such as 6_________________________________.
Many European people can 7_______________.
Sports also play an important role in 8_________________. It is not a surprise to see 9___________________________ while watching the UEFA Champions League live and not unusual to find people enjoying 10____________________ _____________ on the other side of the world.
regional words are making it
wonton
the food we now find in shops and restaurants
all kinds of foods
a lot of other restaurants
Italian,French and Japanese restaurants
use chopsticks
connecting people
people in Britain eating Chinese food
pizza while watching
the same game
Complete the boxes with the expressions from the conversation.
Really
That’s interesting.
Is it really
It is really amazing...
I also find it interesting to see...
No wonder it isn’t a surprise to see...
It is not unusual to find...
Showing interest
Describing a common phenomenon
Really
That’s interesting.
Is it really
It is really amazing...
I also find it interesting to see...
No wonder it isn’t a surprise to see...
It is not unusual to find...
Work in pairs. Talk about another phenomenon of the global village using the expressions in this section.
Review It as an empty subject.
Work in groups to talk about another phenomenon of the global village using the expressions in this section.
THANKS FOR WATCHING