1. 首先,优先排除it是否属于强调句型
强调句型的基本结构是:It + is/was+被强调部分+that/who+其它部分
判断原则:把it, is/was, who/that 去掉后,剩下的内容能够组成结构完整的句子,it就属于强调句型的用法。
例:Research experience is an essential element of hiring and promotion at a research university because it is the emphasis on research that distinguishes such a university from an arts college.(西南交通大学2015年阅读)
【参考译文】在研究型大学里,研究经验是人才招聘和晋升的基本要素,因为正是对研究的重视使得这种大学得以区别于一般的文科院校。
【解析】Because从句中 it is the emphasis on research that distinguishes such a university from an arts college,去掉it, is, that, it is the emphasis on research that distinguishes such a university from an arts college,剩下的内容可以组成完整的句子the emphasis on research distinguishes such a university from an arts college,故此句中it属于强调句型的用法。
2. 如果不属于强调句型结构,接下来,考虑it是否是形式主语或者形式宾语
Ø It 做形式主语时,句子的基本结构是:
1) It + is/was + adj.+ to do 不定式/that从句2)It + is/was +动词的过去分词 + to do不定式/that从句3) It + is/was +名词+ to do不定式/that从句
4) It +不及物动词 + that从句
Ø It 做形式宾语时,句子的基本结构是:主语+谓语+形式宾语it+宾补+真正宾语。在这个句型当中,充当真正宾语的一般有两种形式,一种是to do 不定式,另一种是that从句。例1:It is useless to try to discourage someone who feels that he must act, though the chances of his becoming famous are slim. (首都师范大学2015年阅读)
【参考译文】试图去阻止那些在成名的机会很渺茫的情况下仍然相当演员的年轻人是徒劳的。
【解析】此句中it is useless to try to discourage someone,it是形式主语,真正的主语是动词不定式to try to discourage someone。
例2:As we are usually taught to speak by women, it seems likely that the brain must have a sexual bias in its programming; otherwise, male speech patterns would not arise at all.(首都经济贸易大学2019年阅读)
【参考译文】由于通常是由女性来教我们说话,所以大脑在编程时似乎存在一定的性别偏见;否则,男性的说话模式就根本不会出现。
【解析】此句中it seems likely that the brain must have a sexual bias in its programming,it属于形式主语,真正的主语是that从句。
例3:Optimists, or those given to speed, assumptions, might think it marvelous to have such a resource of business school graduates ready for the recovery.(沈阳药科大学2014年阅读)
【参考译文】乐观主义者,或者那些注重速度和假设的人,可能会认为拥有这样一群为经济复苏做好准备的商学院毕业生是了不起的。
【解析】此句中动词不定式to have such a resource of business school graduates ready for the recovery为it的真正宾语,it为形式宾语3. 如果经过第1,2步,排除it既不属于强调句型的用法,也不属于形式主语或形式宾语,那么一定是代词,且代替前文提到的单数名词。
寄语:每天进步一点点,让我们离博士梦更进一步!