Using It + infinitive and Gerund/Infinitive Subjects
Using It + infinitive and Gerund/Infinitive Subjects (C1 Grammar Guide)
Hello Quijoter@s!
Welcome back to the Quijote Land blog! Many of our students often ask similar questions in class: Should I say learning English is important or it is important to learn English? Are both correct? Which one sounds more natural?
The answer is that both structures are correct, but they are used in slightly different ways and with different levels of naturalness in English. Understanding how these patterns work will help you sound more fluent and natural, especially at higher levels such as B2 and C1.
In this post, we will look at two important grammar structures:
Gerund subjects (-ing forms)
The structure it + infinitive
Let’s explore how they work and when English speakers prefer one over the other.
English tends to avoid long or complex subjects at the beginning of a sentence. When the subject contains a full action or idea, speakers often move it to the end of the sentence and use “it” as a preparatory subject.
Two common ways to express actions as subjects are:
Gerund (-ing) forms
The structure it + infinitive
Although both are correct, they are used in slightly different contexts.
This structure uses “it” as a dummy or preparatory subject, while the real subject appears later as an infinitive.
Structure
It + be + adjective + (for/of + person) + to + verb
Examples
It is important to drink enough water.
It is difficult to learn a language without practice.
It is essential to check your work carefully.
In these sentences, the real subjects are:
to drink enough water
to learn a language
to check your work
However, they appear at the end of the sentence because this structure sounds more natural in English.
Using for and of
Two prepositions commonly appear in this structure: for and of.
Using for
We use for to indicate who performs the action.
Example:
It is easy for children to learn languages.
Here, the adjective describes the difficulty of the action.
Using of
We use of when we evaluate a person’s behaviour.
Examples:
It was kind of you to help me.
It was careless of him to forget the meeting.
In this case, the adjective describes the person, not the action.
Gerunds as subjects
Another way to express actions as subjects is by using gerunds, which are verbs ending in -ing.
Structure
Verb-ing + verb
Examples
Learning languages takes time.
Eating too much sugar is unhealthy.
Travelling broadens the mind.
Gerund subjects are particularly common when referring to activities, habits, or general ideas.
Both gerunds and infinitives can function as subjects, but they are not used equally often.
Gerund subjects
Learning English takes time.
This form is clear and natural, especially when speaking about activities in general.
Infinitive subjects
To learn English takes time.
Although grammatically correct, this structure is less common in everyday English and can sound slightly more formal.
Extraposition with it
For this reason, English often prefers the it + infinitive structure:
It takes time to learn English.
This is usually the most natural option in both spoken and written English.
This structure is particularly common in three situations.
When the subject is long
Less natural: To finish the project before Monday is difficult.
More natural: It is difficult to finish the project before Monday.
- When the sentence begins with an adjective
It is important to stay calm.
It is hard to understand this theory.
When speakers want a smoother sentence
It is interesting to see how languages evolve.
The movement of the infinitive clause to the end of the sentence is known as extraposition. English uses this structure very frequently because it allows the listener or reader to process information more easily.
Compare:
To learn a language is difficult.
It is difficult to learn a language.
The second sentence is generally preferred in modern English.
Using infinitive subjects too often. Learners sometimes produce sentences such as:
- To understand this problem is important.
- A more natural alternative is: It is important to understand this problem.
- Confusing gerunds and infinitives
- Incorrect: Eat vegetables is healthy.
- Correct: Eating vegetables is healthy.
Both gerund subjects and the structure it + infinitive allow us to talk about actions as the subject of a sentence. However, English very often prefers the “it” structure, especially when the subject is long or when the sentence begins with an adjective.
Learning to recognise and use these patterns will help you produce more natural and more advanced English, particularly in academic or professional contexts.
At Quijote Land, we believe that learning a language is not only about memorising grammar rules, but about understanding how real English works and using it with confidence.
If you want to continue improving your English, keep following our blog and practising in class. Step by step, you will see how your fluency grows.
See you soon, Quijoter@s!
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