English grammar for CEF-Level C1: using it as an object in sentences

 Thẩm Tâm Vy, August 24th, 2018 GRAMMAR POINTS CEF – LEVEL C1 
ENGLISH GRAMMAR FOR CEF – LEVEL C1 
USING IT AS AN OBJECT IN SENTENCES 
it + adjective/noun + clause 
it + person/institution + to-infinitive 
 In this lesson, we will learn to use it in a number of ways. 
To: Belle 
From: Helen 
Subject: Phil's birthday 
Hey Belle! 
How's life? I've been really busy recently, what with organising 
Phil's 40
th
 birthday party. I'm not keen on organising stuff because I 
find it a bit stressful I think it'd be easier if I had someone to help me 
out with it but I want it to be a surprise so I'm keeping it to myself for 
now. My biggest problem is knowing who to invite. Phil won't like it 
if I forget anyone important. So I'm going through his address book to 
make sure I get it right. 
You know my brother's a DJ? I'm going to leave it to him to sort out the 
music - he knows what Phil likes. 
Hopefully I can make it a party to remember! Watch out for your invite 
in the post. 
Helen 
 XX 
(1) it after find, think, make, etc. 
 After verbs like find and think, you can use it as the object, followed by an adjective, 
and either to infinitive or a that clause. 
 - I found it strange that he kept silent. 
 - The thick snow made it difficult to see very far in front of me. 
(2) it after see, regard, etc. 
 After verbs like see, take and regard, you can use it as the object, followed by as, 
followed by an adjective or noun and a clause. 
 - They’ll regard it as insulting if we don’t accept the present. 
 - He saw it as a sign that things were about to improve. 
(3) it after like, love, hate, etc. 
 After verbs like love, like and hate, you can use it as the object, followed by a clause 
with when or that. 
 - My cat loves it when you stroke her neck. 
 - I hate it when Jane keeps me waiting. 
 - They didn’t like it that we refused their invitation. 
 Here are some more verbs that are used in this way: 
adore - dislike - enjoy - hate - loathe - love - prefer 
(4) it after owe and leave 
 After verbs like owe and leave you can use it as an object, followed by a person / 
institution and a to-infinitive 
 - I’ll leave it to you to choose which cake we have. 
 - You owe it to your country to work as hard as you can. 
PRACTICE 
I. Match the sentence halves. 
1. The rail strike made it....... 
2. You owe it....... 
3. I'll leave it....... 
4. She thought it....... 
5. I hate it....... 
6. He'll see it....... 
 [a] as rude if you don't go with him. 
 [b] to you to decide what music to play. 
 [c] when you leave wet towels on the floor. 
 [d] impossible for me to get home. 
 [e] to your team to play as well as you can. 
 [f] odd that he hadn't contacted her. 
II. Which sentences are correct? 
1. They didn't like we turned down their invitation.  
2. She'll regard it as an insult if we don't accept her generosity.  
3. The baby loves when you tickle her tummy!  
4. I found it strange that he stayed silent throughout the meeting,  
5. He saw as a sign that things were about to take a turn for the better.  
6. We'll leave it to the children to decide what games to play at the party.  
III. Complete the sentences by writing ONE word in each gap. 
find / take / make love / hate / have / owe / do 
1. You.......it to your brother to apologize for interrupting his meeting. 
2. I.......it when my wife comes home late from work, as I worry that something's 
 happened to her. 
3. My sister will it as a personal affront if I don't go to her party. 
4. You sometimes........it very difficult for me to get my point across. 
5. Jude will......it odd that there's nobody at home when he gets back from his trip. 
6. My children.......it when their grandparents play with them, and keep demanding 
 more. 
IV. Put each sentence into the correct order. 
1. it / difficult / me / made / for / He / . / the job offer / to refuse 
 .................................................................................................... 
 Thẩm Tâm Vy, August 24th, 2018 GRAMMAR POINTS CEF – LEVEL C1 
2. it / upsetting / I / dismissed / to be / found / . / by text message 
 .................................................................................................... 
3. . / We / it / when / compliments / we receive / like / all 
 .................................................................................................... 
4. it / leaves / his / organize / . / their / social life / to / wife / Bob / to 
 .................................................................................................... 
5. it / yourself / to / owe / hard / You / . / to work 
 .................................................................................................... 
6. sees / as / it / insulting / him / incorrectly / . / if / people / address / He 
 .................................................................................................... 
V. Complete the sentences by writing one word in each gap. 
1. The traffic jam made....................impossible for me to arrive on time. 
2. She sees it..................her right to do whatever she wants. 
3. Lara takes it very badly....................she loses a match. 
4. When she phoned, he took it....................a sign that he was forgiven. 
5. You owe it ...................yourself to do well in your exams. 
6. He always...................it to me to clear up after a meal, which I find very annoying. 
VI. For each sentence, tick the correct ending. 
1. Looking around the room, ........ 
 Lena thought it strange to be few personal photographs. 
 Lena thought it strange that there were few personal photographs. 
2. The bright torch........ 
 made easier to see in the thick fog. 
 made it easier to see in the thick fog. 
3. When I said you had a very relaxed attitude, ........ 
 I didn't mean you to take it as a criticism. 
 I didn't mean you to take it for a criticism. 
4. Clara was so bored with her work that, when the doorbell rang, ........ 
 she saw it a welcome interruption. 
 she saw it as a welcome interruption. 
5. When I met her for the first time, ........ 
 I thought it surprising that she already knew my name. 
 I thought it surprising to already know my name. 
6. Both websites contain a section on this topic and ........ 
 you may find it interesting in comparing the two. 
 you may find it interesting to compare the two. 
KEY 
I. 
1 [d] 2 [e] 3 [b] 4 [f] 5 [c] 6 [a] 
II. 
1. No 2. Yes 3. No 4. Yes 5. No 6. Yes 
III. 
1. owe 2. hate 3. take 4. Make 5. find 6. love 
IV. 
1. He made it difficult for me to refuse the job offer. 
2. I found it up setting to bed is missed by text message. 
3. We all like it when we receive compliments. 
4. Bob leaves it to his wife to organize their social life. 
5. You owe it to yourself to work hard. 
6. He sees it as insulting if people address him incorrectly. 
V. 
1. it 2. as 3. when or if 4. as 5. to 6. leaves 
VI. 
1. Lena though t it strange that there were few personal photog raphs. 
2. made it easier to see in the thick fog. 
3. I didn't mean you to take it as a criticism. 
4. she saw it as a welcome interruption. 
5. I thought it surprising th at she already knew my name. 
6. you may find it in teresting to compare the two.