Expressing and reporting opinions: it-clauses
1 Expressing opinions impersonally
In academic communication, we tend to be impersonal, focusing more on actions, we effects of actions, and the things affected by actions rather than the people performing the actions. We often use it- clauses to express opinions impersonally in academic writing and speaking. Common patterns here:
it + be (adverb) + adjective + to- infinitive
e.g. It is extremely difficult to evaluate the role of tourism in urban renewal.
Other adjectives commonly used in this pattern: (in)convenient, easy, hard, important, (im)possible, interesting, (un)necessary, (un)reasonable, (in)sufficient, useful
it + be + (adverb) + adjective + that
It is quite possible that a larger sample size would have shown different results.
Other adjectives commonly used in this pattern: apparent, (un)clear, (in)conveivable, doubtful, essential, evident, important, (un)likely, obvious, probable, true
Note that not all adverbs and adjectives in these patterns can combine. For example, we commonly use quite + possible/ clear, nut rarely quite + doubtful/ essential
We often use a passive verb form in an it- clause with that when we report another person’s opinion. Notice that we usually include a reference to the other person’s work, often immediately after the reporting verb or at the end of the sentences:
It has been reported (Crane, 2015) that prolonged periods sitting in front of a computer may have significant health risks.
Verbs commonly used in this pattern:
argue*, claim*, contend*, demonstrate, estimate, maintain*, note, propose*, report*, show, suggest*
2 Distancing yourself from a point of view
We often use an it-clause when we want to distance ourselves from an earlier point of view, perhaps because it is now disputed, or because we feel there was some limitation or problem with the earlier work:
It has been claimed that cheese intake is associated with high cholesterol levels (Zemel, 2001), but more recent studies have found that cheese may even have a cholesterol lowering effect (Hamedi, 2018; Allen, 2019)
It is often suggested that air pollutants from traffic, such as nitrogen oxide (NO2) and suspended particulate matter have a negative impact on child health (e.g. Janssen, 2004, Knape 2012). However, relatively few studies so far have looked at the health of children living near busy roads.
The reporting verbs mark * in Above margin note are often used in this way.
3 Disagreeing
In academic contexts we often begin a disagreement by acknowledging that some part of the opposing position is true. Its-clauses are often used for this in academic writing and also in spoken academic contexts (presentation, seminars, etc.)
It is sometimes argued that it is important for students to outline their essays before beginning writing (e.g. Cotton, 2004). While it is quite correct that much of an essay can be planned in advanced, it must also be noted that the act of writing itself facilities thought and shapes ideas.
It’s often assumed that environmental sustainability and poverty reduction can go hand-in-hand. Although it’s certainly possible to find a small number of examples where this happens, in most cases in the literature it is reported that the costs of environmental improvement fall on the poor rather than the wealthy.
However, in less formal spoken contexts we sometimes prefer more personal forms. For example: We often assume that …, … you can certainly find ….
4 Exercises
4.1 Complete the sentences using an impersonal it-clause starting with a phrase from (i), that or a to-infinitive from (ii), and an ending from (iii). For questions 5 and 6 use your own ideas to complete the sentences
| (i) | (ii) | (iii) |
|---|---|---|
| it is likely | that | a number of other approaches are possible. |
| it is doubtful | that | human activity is the cause. |
| it is important | that | it is missing from the school curriculum in many countries. |
| it is easy | to tell | |
| it is impossible | to see | why homeowners are concerned with energy efficiency. |
| it is surprising | to recognize that |
- Given the high cost of electricity and gas, it is easy to see why homeowners are concerned with energy efficiency.
- The general views is that the Earth’s climate is warming, and it is likely that human activity is the cause.
- Educationalists have been advocating the importance of critical thinking for many years, so it is surprising that it is missing from the school curriculum in many countries.
- Although the approach outlined above will be used in this research, it is important to recognize that a number of other approaches are possible.
- Because little research has so far been done on the new drug, it is impossible to tell how effective it will be in treating hearth disease.
- The report recommends diverting more state funding from roads to railways, but it is doubtful that it is enough for the project. / but it is doubtful that the present government would be willing to do this.
4.2 Complete each example using a quotation from the box. Begin your answer with an it-clause and a reporting verb in the passive. Choose from the reporting verbs marked * in the box in section A opposite.
“Aromatherapy can cure recurring headaches.” (Majid, 2016) “Domestic technology has decreased the amount of time spent on housework.” (Hill, 2010) “Research output can be measured by number of papers published”. (Hirsch, 2018) “Voting in general elections should be made compulsory.” (Chen, 2005) “Plants have intelligence.” (Glass, 2018)
- It has been proposed that voting in general elections should be made compulsory (Chen, 2005). There would, however, be considerable public opposition to this move.
- It has been
claimed-> contend that plants have intelligence (Glass, 2018), although as they do not have a nervous system, they cannot form thoughts. - It has been claimed that domestic technology has decreased the amount of time spent on housework (Hill, 2010), but as Burr (2014) points out, this is true only in the most developed countries.
- It has been reported that aromatherapy can cure recurring headaches (Majid, 2016). Nevertheless, there is little evidence that the treatment works in the long term.
- It has been argued by Hirsch (2018) that research output can be measured by number of papers published. However, this does not take into account co-authorship of research articles.
4.3 Use it-clauses and the phrases in the box below to comple the extract from an academic presentation, following the pattern in section C opposite.
It’s sometimes maintained that a top-down management style is preferable because it allows clear goals and expectations to be set. It is undoubtedly true that in this type of organization, employees are not distracted from their work by participating in the decision-making process. However, it’s important to recognize that many innovations start at the grassroot level in companies rather than at management level.
Some possible ways of making the it-clauses less impersonal:
It is sometimes maintained that … - Some people say/ think that …
It is undoubtedly true that … - I agree/ accept that …
It is important to recognize … - We also need to accept that …