Extraposition

Definition

Extraposition moves a long or heavy clause toward the end of the sentence and places anticipatory it in an earlier subject or object position. This often gives the sentence a more natural information flow.

Examples

• It surprised me that the office was closed.

  It occupies the subject position while the that-clause carries the main content.

• It is difficult to predict the result.

  The to-infinitive clause is placed after the adjective.

• We found it strange that nobody called.

  Object extraposition places it before the complement and moves the content clause later.

Clause as subject vs. extraposition

Both structures can express the same proposition, but extraposition places shorter, lighter material first.

Anticipatory it does not refer to a thing

In extraposition, it is a grammatical placeholder. This differs from referential it, which points to a particular object, event or idea already identified.

• It is obvious that the figures are wrong.

  It anticipates the following that-clause.

• I read the report and filed it.

  Here it refers directly to the report, so this is not extraposition.

Common mistakes