Dummy subjects

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. It and there are the two dummy subjects used in English:

It’s always interesting to find out about your family history.

[real subject]To find out about your family history is always interesting. (The real subject – the thing that is interesting – is ‘to find out about your family history’.)

There are five Dutch people in our village. (The real subject is the Dutch people – they are in the village.)

It as a dummy subject

We often use it as a dummy 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 sport is 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

There as a dummy subject

There operates as a dummy subject in the construction there is or there are. There is/are indicates that something or someone exists or 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 … or It’s a woman waiting outside…

There are two shops in the village.

Not: Are two shops … or They are two shops…

See also:

There is, there’s and there are

• 翼展中心
• 翼展中点
• 翼弦
• 翼根弦
• 翼梢弦
• 翼组
• 翼组
• 翼缝
• 翼锋
• 翼长
• 翼项
• 翼项系数
• 老一套打法
• 老将
• 老将
• 老将 old boy 2
• 老年人体育
• 老年环
• 老式推举
• 老手
• 老拳师
• 老爷车
• 老积雪层
• 老练的
• 老资格人
• 女生踢足球射门小技巧（掌握这些技巧，女生也能射入精彩进球）
• 足球单挑过人技巧大揭秘（提升足球单挑过人技巧的实用方法，助你成为球场上的明星）
• 足球小技巧，让你在日常生活中出类拔萃（掌握这些关键技巧，让你成为真正的足球达人）
• 足球剪球技巧解析（掌握剪球技巧，提升足球技术水平）
• 以挑战中考足球绕杆技巧为主题写一篇文章（挑战足球绕杆技巧，让中考更精彩）
• 提高足球射门力量的技巧（让你的射门成为无法阻挡的力量）
• 足球传球技巧过人的精髓（攻陷对手防线的绝佳利器——足球传球技巧过人）
• 招行掌上生活足球技巧指南（学会使用招行掌上生活，玩转足球生活）
• 快速掌握足球技巧的秘诀（关键技术+高效训练=迅速提升足球水平）
• 足球加气技巧大全（提升足球技术的关键要素与技巧方法）
• Stollenwerk 碧绿屋 酸甜瓜条的热量有多少卡路里
• SMUCKER'S 盛美家 纯天然花生酱的热量有多少卡路里
• Red Seal Red seal 红印黑糖的热量有多少卡路里
• 佰丰 蟹黄酱(精装原味)的热量有多少卡路里
• 創味食品 本格派粗挽黒胡椒盐味烤肉酱的热量有多少卡路里
• 特慧优 那不勒斯风味番茄意面酱的热量有多少卡路里
• 特慧优 番茄奶油红雪蟹意面酱的热量有多少卡路里
• 特慧优 蘑菇三文鱼鲑鱼意面酱的热量有多少卡路里
• D&A蒂安 D&A 蒂安 地中海海盐的热量有多少卡路里
• 好侍 咖喱屋牛肉高汤风味咖喱(中辛)的热量有多少卡路里