build to

English grammar questions, answered by Alan

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navit
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build to

Post by navit »

1) North Korea is deliberately ramping up tensions with its neighbours. Analysts think it is building to something bigger, such as a nuclear test, or a full long-range ballistic missile test out in to the Pacific, or both.


Source:
https://www.yahoo.com/news/north-korea- ... 36785.html

Does the 'it' in the second sentence refer to North Korea or the situation?

If it refers to North Korea than I have a problem with 'it is building to something bigger'.

Is the sentence correct and natural?

Gratefully,
Navi
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Alan
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Re: build to

Post by Alan »

(Not a grammar issue, but...)

'It' clearly is here functioning impersonally - a somewhat unusual, but contextually comprehensible, use.
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