Pronouns are important elements for text cohesion. In the extract from the second paragraph “It signifies interrelated attributes”, the pronoun It has “the postmethod condition” as its referent. A pronoun it that does not have a referent and only performs a grammatical function is a “nonreferential it”. In the following sentences, a “nonreferencial it” is found in:
- A I’m tired and it’s becoming difficult to read with this background noise affecting my concentration!
- B I know I left it somewhere in the living room.
- C I brought the newspaper. Where exactly did you put it?
- D The dog is barking and it’s becoming anxious with all those people shouting outside.
- E I can’t find my key anywhere, though I’m absolutely sure I saw it in the kitchen earlier.