1.7 Common Verbs Followed By Infinitives

Often an infinitive phrase is used with it as the subject of a sentence. The word it refers to and has the same meaning as the infinitive phrase at the end of the sentence.

Example: (a) It is difficult to learn a second language.

In this example, it= to learn a second language.

A gerund phrase is frequently used as the subject of a sentence, as in example below.

Example: (b) Learning a second language is difficult.

An infinitive can also be used as the subject of a sentence, as in example below, but far more commonly an infinitive phrase is used with it, as in example (a).

Example: (c) To learn a second language is difficult.

The phrase for (someone) may be used to specify exactly who the speaker is talking about, as in examples below.

Example:

(d) It is easy for young children to learn a second language.

     Learning a second language is easy for young children.

    To learn a second language is easy for young children.

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