word meaning - Difference between "idiot" and "dummy"?
Although idiot and dummy do commonly have the same meaning, the use of idiot in this joking phrase draws particular attention to a specific sense of idiot. From Merriam-Webster's …
Are dummy subject and impersonal subject the same?
Apr 20, 2016 · It is sunny. (impersonal subject) It is difficult to learn English. (dummy subject or place holder) In Korea, we learn that dummy subject and impersonal subject are different. But, …
pronouns - What exactly is a dummy-it? - English Language …
Dec 12, 2023 · It seems like you haven't understood the article. "Dummy it refers to nothing at all; it simply serves a grammatical function. In other words, dummy it has a grammatical meaning …
How can I tell whether an "it" is a dummy "it" in this sentence?
Therefore it is a dummy pronoun in both instances, referring to the author's life in general, and more specifically to the aspects that she's been discussing in the text leading to that sentence. …
It - Preparatory subject - English Language Learners Stack Exchange
May 3, 2024 · There is no question of dummy "it" being a preparatory element, since the elements that follow it do not give the meaning if "it". "It" is, then, just a dummy element serving the …
"There is some" or "There are some"- which is correct?
Nov 4, 2022 · Initial There's is OK before anything. When it's at the beginning of the sentence, it's just a dummy, with no meaning or plural, and it's reified into one word before anything plural …
grammar - Can the word "THIS" be a dummy subject? For …
Dec 4, 2022 · 5 I think the "dummy subject"you are talking about is that which is known as an expletive subject. A good example is It is raining. In the text you quote I don't believe this is …
dummy pronouns - The function of "it" in "I hate it when..."
Oct 26, 2021 · In sentence a, you need the dummy pronoun it, because the direct object with found in this meaning is placed between found and the complement to the object. The normal …
It's good to see you. What's the meaning of 'it' in 'It's good to ...'?
Mar 17, 2025 · This question is similar to: How can I tell whether an "it" is a dummy "it" in this sentence?. If you believe it’s different, please edit the question, make it clear how it’s different …
Using "they" in tag questions with everybody/nobody etc
Jun 9, 2021 · In English, existential clauses usually use the dummy subject construction (also known as expletive) with there, as in "There are boys in the yard"… In the OP's sentence, the …