Placeholder "IT"

This topic has expert replies
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 56
Joined: Sat Feb 19, 2011 12:10 pm
Followed by:2 members

Placeholder "IT"

by anukrati » Sat Sep 10, 2011 5:07 am
Along with the drop in producer prices announced yesterday, the strong retail sales figures released today seem like it is indicative that the economy, although growing slowly, is not nearing recession.

a) like it is indicative that
b) as if to indicate
c) to indicate that
d) indicative of
e) like an indication of

I know that option A is incorrect. But I am having problem of Placeholder "IT" concept as per MGMAT SC Book.
In option A why cant "it" refer to THAT-Clause.
According to OG here "it" is referring to "sales figures"

Can anyone explain me the concept of Placeholder IT
And also tell me when do we use the concept of "Placeholder IT"

Thanks
Source: — Sentence Correction |

User avatar
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 496
Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2011 5:34 am
Thanked: 38 times
Followed by:1 members

by sl750 » Sat Sep 10, 2011 5:24 am
it is a singular pronoun referring to a plural subject sales figures. Hence it is wrong

C is the answer

Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 56
Joined: Sat Feb 19, 2011 12:10 pm
Followed by:2 members

by anukrati » Sat Sep 10, 2011 5:31 am
sl750 wrote:it is a singular pronoun referring to a plural subject sales figures. Hence it is wrong

C is the answer
sl750 my question is why "it" here not working as placeholder IT which can refer to THAT-Clause.

Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 56
Joined: Sat Feb 19, 2011 12:10 pm
Followed by:2 members

by anukrati » Sat Sep 10, 2011 5:40 am
Also can anyone tell me why "Indicative of" in Option D cannot introduce a clause.

Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 58
Joined: Sat Apr 17, 2010 7:30 am
Thanked: 2 times

by r2kins » Sat Sep 24, 2011 6:25 am
anukrati wrote:
sl750 wrote:it is a singular pronoun referring to a plural subject sales figures. Hence it is wrong

C is the answer
sl750 my question is why "it" here not working as placeholder IT which can refer to THAT-Clause.
Two observations

1. I think the subject of the sentence is just the ECONOMY. THAT clause is not the subject of the sentence and hence its not appropriate to use the Placeholder IT.

2. Option 1 can also be eliminated based on redundancy - both seem and like are not required, either would serve the purpose.

Legendary Member
Posts: 2330
Joined: Fri Jan 15, 2010 5:14 am
Thanked: 56 times
Followed by:26 members

by mundasingh123 » Sat Sep 24, 2011 7:06 am
anukrati wrote:Along with the drop in producer prices announced yesterday, the strong retail sales figures released today seem like it is indicative that the economy, although growing slowly, is not nearing recession.

a) like it is indicative that
b) as if to indicate
c) to indicate that
d) indicative of
e) like an indication of

I know that option A is incorrect. But I am having problem of Placeholder "IT" concept as per MGMAT SC Book.
In option A why cant "it" refer to THAT-Clause.
According to OG here "it" is referring to "sales figures"

Can anyone explain me the concept of Placeholder IT
And also tell me when do we use the concept of "Placeholder IT"

Thanks
Firstly , This is a wrong use of an idiom . If u have mgmat sc guide check the list of wrong idioms bracketed below Seems
Secondly
The words seems , when it follows a noun , describes the noun or describes how the noun appears as something or does something
According to the list of correct idioms the word seems can be used with a placeholder IT in the foll. way
IT seems as if X demonstrates Y .
For Clarification i advise you to read the MGMAT Guide Idioms Chapter
I Seek Explanations Not Answers

Legendary Member
Posts: 1574
Joined: Fri Jan 28, 2011 2:52 am
Thanked: 88 times
Followed by:13 members

by aspirant2011 » Sat Sep 24, 2011 7:28 am
anukrati wrote:Along with the drop in producer prices announced yesterday, the strong retail sales figures released today seem like it is indicative that the economy, although growing slowly, is not nearing recession.

a) like it is indicative that ----- awkward
b) as if to indicate---- indicate that is the right usage
c) to indicate that
d) indicative of
e) like an indication of

I know that option A is incorrect. But I am having problem of Placeholder "IT" concept as per MGMAT SC Book.
In option A why cant "it" refer to THAT-Clause.
According to OG here "it" is referring to "sales figures"

Can anyone explain me the concept of Placeholder IT
And also tell me when do we use the concept of "Placeholder IT"

Thanks

• Page 1 of 1