English clauses which are not imperatives must have a subject. Sometimes we need to use a ‘dummy’ or ‘empty’ or ‘artificial’ subject when there is no subject attached to the verb, and where the real subject is somewhere else in the clause.Itandthereare the two dummy subjects used in English:
It’s always interestingto find out about your family history.
[real subject]To find out about your family historyis always interesting.(The real subject – the thing that is interesting – is ‘to find out about your family history’.)
Therearefive Dutch people in our village.(The real subject is the Dutch people – they are in the village.)
Itas a dummy subject
We often useitas adummy subject with adjectives and their complements:
It’s important to wear a helmet whenever you do any dangerous sport.
[real subject]Wearing a helmet when you do any dangerous sportis important.
Not:Is important to wear a helmet… (The real subject is ‘wearing a helmet when you do any dangerous sport’ – that is what is important.)
It’s useful to write down your passport number somewhere, in case you lose it.
See also:
It
Thereas a dummy subject
Thereoperates as a dummy subject in the constructionthere isorthere are.There is/areindicates that something or someone existsor is in a particular place or situation:
There’s a woman waiting outside who wants to talk to you.(The real subject is the woman – she is waiting outside.).
Not:Is a woman waiting outside… orIt’s a woman waiting outside…
Thereare two shops in the village.
Not:Are two shops… orThey are two shops…
See also:
There is,there’sandthere are