Expletive constructions combine it or there with the verb be.
They can be useful sometimes because they allow you to emphasize information by positioning it after the verb in focus position. However, the verb be is often followed by a relative clause that increases the length of the sentence unnecessarily.
In both examples above, the expletive construction and the relative clause can be removed and the idea expressed with a more concise subject-verb-object structure.
 | There were 50 participants in the experimental group and 47 in the control group. |
They can be useful sometimes because they allow you to emphasize information by positioning it after the verb in focus position. However, the verb be is often followed by a relative clause that increases the length of the sentence unnecessarily.
 | It is this proposal that solves the problem most effectively. |
| There are some natural polymers that have cationic properties. |
In both examples above, the expletive construction and the relative clause can be removed and the idea expressed with a more concise subject-verb-object structure.
| This proposal solves the problem most effectively. |
| Some natural polymers have cationic properties. |
Universitat de Barcelona. Serveis Lingüístics
Actualització: 15-7-2022
Recommended citation:
«Use expletive constructions sparingly» [en línia]. A: Llibre d’estil de la Universitat de Barcelona. Barcelona: Universitat de Barcelona. Serveis Lingüístics. <https://www.ub.edu/llibre-estil/criteri.php?id=3457> [consulta: 5 desembre 2025].
