anticipatory object

anticipatory object (foreløpig (direkte) objekt): a word - it - which occurs in object position. It carries no independent meaning, but points forward to the notional direct object which is placed later in the sentence. The notional object is always a clause (that-clause or non-finite clause). Anticipatory objects occur only in clauses where there is also either an object predicative or an oblique object. In contrast to anticipatory subjects, the anticipatory object cannot be replaced by the notional object, for reasons of end weight. E.g. You owe it to him to reply to the invitation. I find it strange that he hasn't replied to our invitation.