Using 'it' and 'there' as subjects

English clauses always have a subject:

His father has just retired. > He was a teacher. 

(NOT Was a teacher.)�I'm waiting for my wife. > She is late. 

(NOT Is late.)

... except for the imperative:

Go away.�Play it again, please.

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There

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If there is no other subject, we use there to talk about:

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• where or when something is:

There's an interesting book on the shelf.� There'll be an eclipse of the moon tonight.

• a number or amount:

There is plenty of bread left.� There were twenty people at the meeting.

• something existing or happening:

There's a small problem.� There was a nasty fight

It

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We use it to talk about:

• times and dates:              

It's nearly one o'clock.�It's my birthday.

• the weather:

It's raining.�It's a lovely day.�It was getting cold.

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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.