Could you please explain the definitions of the underlined “it”?

[Bhikkhu1991a]

Hello,

Could you please explain the definitions of the following underlined “it”? What are their antecedents, for example?

Alan has given me only three definitions of “it”. According to Alan, generally 'it' is an impersonal pronoun and can often refer to something that has already been said/written. The other use is called the 'anticipatory it' because it 'anticipates' or introduces a new subject. Further, 'it' is used to give the idea of 'there exists' or 'there doesn't exist'.

I have attempted the following 2, 3, 7 and 8 based on the definitions given by Alan. “2, 3 and 7” are what have been written earlier, and as for “8”, it is introducing the subject. Could you please check whether they are correct as well?

Here are the excerpts from the Newsletter “A bit of a laugh” dated November 14, 2008 (http://www.english-test.net/newsletter/a-bit-of-a-laugh-175.html):

1. It mightn't strike you as at all funny but then if it doesn't, at least I shall be spared the embarrassment of you not reacting at all. (Paragraph 1, line 4)

2. Let me tell you a bit more about 'a bit of a laugh'. It's the sort of expression we use to describe something you do in a light-hearted way. (Paragraph 3, line 2)

Answer: ‘a bit of a laugh’ is the sort of expression we use to describe something you do in a light-hearted way. (Paragraph 3, line 2)

3. Let's say you're feeling a bit down and want to be cheered up. Well, then you go and have a drink with some friends and decide 'for a bit of a laugh' to visit the local casino to try to win some money. It's the sort of thing you do once in a while, not very often. (Paragraph 3, line 6)

Answer: 'for a bit of a laugh' is the sort of thing you do once in a while, not very often. (Paragraph 3, line 6)

4. Of course you can laugh so much that you simply can't stop. You know what it's like, it's catching. (Paragraph 4, line 2)

5. You want to laugh but you can't and so you keep it to yourself and laugh up your sleeve — I should imagine if you tried doing this, it could be very awkward! (Paragraph 4, line 8)

6. Mind you, it could be that you and the others get jobs somewhere else for much more money and then it's the turn of the boss to laugh on the other side of his face. And of course nowadays getting a job is important and it's a very serious business if you can't get one or you lose your present job. (Paragraph 4, line 12)

7. who said to themselves:' No problem I'm very good at making the girls laugh — it'll be a piece of cake'. (Paragraph 8, line 3)

Answer: 7. “I'm very good at making the girls laugh” will be a piece of cake'. (Paragraph 8, line 3)

8. So I hope you've had a lot of laughs — maybe it was the first time you had a LOL. ( The paragraph below Alan Townend, line 1)

Answer: “it” is introducing the subject “the first time”.

According to Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary (7th Edition), there is long list of definitions for “it”; unfortunately, I don’t’ know the underlined “it” belonged to which definitions. Further, the dictionary is protected by copyright, so the list of definitions cannot be provided here.

Another problem is I couldn’t find any “it” in the vocabularies of English.test.net. Could someone please come up with the word “it” in the vocabularies in English.test.net so I don’t have to infringe any copyrights?

I hope to hear from you soon. Thank you so much.

Best wishes.

[Jamie (K)]

I think that the reason you didn't get a response the first time you posted this was that it is simply too much material. The teachers who respond to the queries are not paid, and they can't afford to spend half a day explaining every "it" in this post.

Please be more considerate and post a short, focused question.