OW grammar unit 13

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 5

OW grammar unit 13

it and there clauses

possesive pronouns

No subject, opt for a dummy

English clauses always have a subject, except for the imperative (behalve de gebiedende wijs) 

If there is no other subject, you pick a dummy subject: 

there or it

Again: English clauses always have a subject:

His mum has just won the competition. > She has just won the competition. Not: Has just won the competition ;).

If there is no subject, start your clause with there or it.

There as a dummy subject, when it indicates:

1. Where or when something is:

        There's an interesting book on the shelf.

   2. Something existing or happening:

        There was a nasty fight.

   3. A number of amount:

        There were many kids at the school party.

It as a dummy subject, when it indicates:

1. Times and dates: 
    It is 5 o'clock. 
2. The weather:
    It is a cloudy day. 

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3. To express opinions, but be careful, then it is followed by the verb be + an –     ing form or to-infinitive 

     It is great hanging out here!

     It is nice to see you!

We use it with the verb be and an –ing form or to-infinitive to express opinions:

It's great living here.

It's nice to meet you.

Possesive pronouns: 

Using possessives with gerunds (verb + ing)

Because gerunds function as nouns, if a noun or pronoun precedes a gerund, it must be in the possessive case to modify the gerund.

Your whispering ruined the film for everyone.

one (singular) and ones (plural)

• After an adjective:
  

      See those two girls? Helen is the tall one and Jane is the short one.

      Which is your car, the red one or the blue one?

• After the:
  

     See those two girls? Helen is the one on the left. 

     Let's look at the photographs – the ones you took in Paris.

• After which in questions:

     You can borrow a book. Which one do you want?

     Which ones are yours?