Syntax Problems: Chapter 7

Problem 4 (replaces problem 4, p. 183

Consider the occurrences of the pronoun it in the following sentences.

  1. I hate it that you're always late.
  2. I regret it that you saw that.
  3. It doesn't matter what our exact theory of theta roles is.
  4. It's very dark in that room. (cf. That room is very dark)
  5. It's very hot on that beach. (cf. That beach is very hot.)
  6. It's 3 'o'clock. (cf. The current time is three'o'clock)
  7. It's 20 miles to Boston from here. (cf. Boston is 20 miles from here)
  8. It's very busy at the airport at 3 P.M. (cf The airport is very busy at 3 A.M.)
In the text of Chapter 7 the claim is made that it is sometimes an expletive (it receives no theta-role). The text also claims that expletives are generally subjects. Which of these occurrences of it are expletives and why do you think so?

For the cases you decide are expletives, either argue that, despite the theta-criterion, these its are NPs or that they are not NPs (or at least not normal NPs). (Directed hint: Find one syntactic process that affects NPs that succeeds/fails. Remember: Construct your own examples. Don't be afraid to change the ones given here a little if you have good reason to believe that your examples still use the same verb with the same theta grid.)