10.40 using other verbs

Similar structures can be used with verbs other than link verbs.

If you want to say what effect an experience has on someone, you can use 'it' with a verb such as 'please', 'surprise', or 'shock', followed by a noun group and a 'to'-infinitive clause. For a list of these verbs, see paragraph 10.44.

You can use 'it' with 'take' and a 'to'-infinitive clause to indicate what is used in a particular action or activity, or is needed for it, for example the amount of time or the type of person that is needed.

If there is also an indirect object, this can be placed immediately after the verb.

If the indirect object is expressed by a prepositional phrase, usually beginning with 'for', it is placed after the direct object.

'Cost' can be used in similar structures when talking about the amount of something, usually money, that is used in an activity.

With 'find' and 'think', you can use 'it' as the object, followed by an object complement and either a 'to'-infinitive clause or a 'that'-clause.