In the sentence ‘In this era of globalization it is more important than ever to show tolerance and understanding for people of all cultures,’ the phrase ‘it is’ plays a critical role in conveying the importance of showing tolerance. In this article, we’ll explore the use of ‘it is’ and why it is used in this context, especially for those learning English as a second language.
1. The Role of ‘It is’ in English Sentences
‘It is’ is a common structure used in English to introduce general statements or to express opinions. It is often used for emphasizing certain aspects of a sentence, as in the case of the sentence you asked about. Here, ‘it is’ introduces the subject ‘more important than ever,’ giving emphasis to the idea of the importance of showing tolerance in today’s world.
In this structure, ‘it’ does not refer to a specific noun, but rather functions as a placeholder subject. This type of construction is known as a dummy subject or expletive subject, often used to make the sentence grammatically correct when there is no clear subject.
2. Breakdown of the Sentence
The sentence ‘In this era of globalization it is more important than ever to show tolerance and understanding for people of all cultures’ highlights the increasing importance of tolerance in a globalized world. The phrase ‘it is more important than ever’ emphasizes the heightened significance of this action.
The purpose of using ‘it is’ in this sentence is to focus on the idea that, in the current context of globalization, showing understanding for people of all cultures has become even more crucial. It is not just a simple statement, but one that underscores the urgency and relevance of the matter.
3. Translating ‘It is’ into Japanese
In Japanese, ‘it is’ does not have a direct equivalent and is often translated based on context. In your example sentence, ‘it is more important than ever’ might be translated as ‘以前にも増して重要だ’. This translation still maintains the emphasis on the importance of the action, but lacks a direct equivalent to the ‘it’ used in English.
While ‘it’ in English serves as a placeholder for a subject, in Japanese, it is unnecessary and typically omitted when translating similar sentences. The emphasis still remains, but the sentence structure differs according to the rules of each language.
4. Conclusion
The phrase ‘it is’ in English sentences, especially in cases like ‘it is more important than ever,’ is used to emphasize a key point in the discussion. It allows for the creation of sentences that focus on general statements, making the language flow smoothly and allowing the subject of the sentence to be introduced indirectly. Understanding how to use ‘it is’ in different contexts is important for learners of English to communicate effectively and with clarity.
コメント