It is difficult to understand or deal with "it"

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

(the) shifting sands (of something)
used to describe a situation that changes so often that it is difficult to understand or deal with “it”

In the above explanation, is “it” necessary?

2 Likes
2

You can leave the object pronoun ‘it’ since from the context it is clear that ‘to deal with’ refers to ‘situation’.

2 Likes
3

Torsten, when we construct the ‘so that’ clause, I think we need to use the object so as to make the meaning clear. It is not necessary in a ‘too … to’ construction.

Compare:
The situation changes so often that it is difficult to understand or deal with it. (the first it being a dummy subject)
The situation changes too often to be difficult to understand or deal with.

Your comments, please.

4 Likes
4

If you refer to the shifting sands of a situation, you mean that it changes so often that it is difficult to deal with.

3 Likes
5

I think Teo is right with quoting the example ‘If you refer to the shifting sands of a situation, you mean that it changes so often that it is difficult to deal with’.

2 Likes
6

Yes, if the ‘it’ in the example is to be treated as the pronoun for 'situation, I think I should agree.

Thanks, Torsten and Teo.

3 Likes