<p>Is it grammatically correct to start the sentence off with "It was" as in for example, "It was a Chinese American grower who finally succeeded at adapting the now familiar orange tree to the American climate." And if so, what is the antecedent of "it". Thanks a lot.</p>
<p>i'm not so sure(i didn't learn from grammar textbooks, but rather solving many grammer questions), but there ARE cases that using it is correct.</p>
<p>In your sentence, the whole sentence can be paraphrased into:</p>
<p>A Chinese American grower succeed at~~~</p>
<p>so using it is correct.</p>
<p>However, consider the following sentence:</p>
<p>Since the school officials decided to remove the vending machines from school, it has been discomforting to students.</p>
<p>the "it" in this sentence has no explicit antecedent, so you should say it's incorrect.</p>
<p>Thanks jsquare, so if you can paraphrase it, then its correct? Can anyone explain it further please? Appreciate the help.</p>
<p>Please any of you high sat scorer care to help me? thanks ahead of time.</p>
<p>Please, I know many of you high scorers are out there who know how to approach a problem like this. Thanks.</p>
<p>Anyone help...with this question?</p>
<p>it is correct</p>
<p>it sounds right..</p>
<p>The sentence is right, but my English teacher hates this syntax.</p>