The sentence ‘The older you get, the more difficult you learn English’ may leave you wondering why the second part of the sentence changes to ‘it is to’ in some contexts. Understanding why the structure shifts can help clarify the use of comparative phrases in English. In this article, we’ll break down the construction of this sentence and explain why ‘it is to’ might appear in some cases.
Understanding Comparative Sentences in English
In English, comparative sentences are often used to show how one thing is in relation to another, typically using the structure ‘the + comparative adjective + subject + the + comparative adjective’. The structure of the sentence ‘The older you get, the more difficult it is to learn English’ uses this form. In this case, ‘older’ and ‘more difficult’ are the comparative adjectives, comparing age with the difficulty of learning English.
However, in some cases, sentences like this one need a slight adjustment in the second part of the sentence for clarity and grammatical correctness. This is where ‘it is to’ becomes relevant.
Why ‘It is to’ Appears in the Sentence
In the sentence ‘The older you get, the more difficult it is to learn English’, ‘it is to’ serves as a placeholder for the action (learning English). The phrase ‘it is to’ ensures that the sentence maintains its grammatical structure by making the subject (learning English) clearer and more formal. It also connects the comparative adjective ‘difficult’ to the verb ‘learn’, allowing the sentence to flow smoothly.
This construction is a common way of expressing an abstract or complex action in English, particularly in more formal contexts. Without ‘it is to’, the sentence would sound incomplete or awkward, lacking a clear subject for the verb ‘learn’.
Alternative Ways to Express the Same Idea
Although ‘it is to’ is the most common structure, there are other ways to express the same idea. For example, you could say, ‘The older you get, the more difficult learning English becomes.’ In this case, ‘learning English becomes’ is used to describe the process in a simpler way, removing the need for ‘it is to’.
Each structure has its own nuance, with ‘it is to’ sounding a bit more formal and analytical, while the simpler construction is more casual and conversational.
Conclusion
The use of ‘it is to’ in sentences like ‘The older you get, the more difficult it is to learn English’ helps clarify the meaning and maintain grammatical structure. It’s a key feature of comparative sentences that enhances clarity and flow. Understanding this structure is an important step in mastering complex English sentence construction, especially for comparative ideas.
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