Using 'It' as a Placeholder (Anticipatory It)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'It' to move long, heavy subjects to the end of a sentence for better flow.
- Use 'It' + 'be' + adjective to introduce a 'to-infinitive' clause: 'It is hard to sleep.'
- Use 'It' to introduce a 'that-clause' for facts or opinions: 'It is clear that he lied.'
- Use 'It' as a placeholder object after verbs like 'find' or 'think': 'I find it easy to cook.'
Overview
Sometimes we start with "It". This makes the sentence easy.
The word "It" has no meaning here. It just starts things.
Put long parts at the end. This sounds natural.
This helps you say big things easily.
How This Grammar Works
- Awkward:
That a company of this size could fail so spectacularly is surprising.
- Natural:
It is surprising that a company of this size could fail so spectacularly.
Word Order Rules
- 1
It(The Placeholder Subject): The sentence must begin withit. Thisitis always singular and has no meaning on its own. - 2
Verb: This is most commonly a tense of the verbbe(is,was,has been,will be). Other verbs, often related to perception or appearance (seem,appear,feel,look) or occurrence (happen,turn out), can also be used. The verb always takes a singular form to agree withit. For example,It is..., notIt are.... - 3
Complement: This is typically an adjective (important,strange,obvious) or a noun phrase (a shame,a good idea,a miracle) that expresses an opinion, evaluation, or fact about the true subject. - 4
True Subject: This is the postponed clausal subject. It is the information thatitis anticipating. This is almost always ato-infinitiveclause or athat-clause.
It: Placeholder Subjectwas: Verba mistake: Complement (Noun Phrase)to leave so early: True Subject (to-infinitiveclause)
Formation Pattern
that-clauses
When To Use It
- To State an Opinion or Evaluation: This is the most common use. It allows you to present your judgment first, before specifying what you are judging. This gives immediate context to your statement.
It's ridiculous to expect a decision by tomorrow.It was unprofessional of him to shout during the meeting.It feels great to finally finish this project.
- To Present a Fact or General Truth: When introducing a piece of information as a known fact or objective reality,
itprovides a neutral and authoritative tone. It is a well-known fact that water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.It is true that regular exercise has numerous health benefits.
- To Enhance Formality and Objectivity: In academic, scientific, and professional writing, using a personal subject (
I think...,We found...) can sometimes feel too subjective. Anticipatoryitwith a passive verb creates a more objective and impersonal voice. It is argued that the novel's main theme is alienation.(Instead of:I argue that...)It has been observed that the samples react differently under pressure.
- To Manage Information Flow in Conversation: You can use this structure to introduce a topic gently before providing the full details. It acts as a signal to your listener that important information is about to follow.
It has come to my attention that some files are missing.It turns out that the 'expert' we hired had falsified his credentials.
- To Make Polite Requests or Inquiries:
Itis very useful for framing questions and requests in a less direct and more polite manner. Would it be possible to get an extension on the deadline?(More polite thanCan I get an extension?)
Common Mistakes
- 1The 'Zero Subject' or Missing
It
- Incorrect:
Is necessary to have a visa to enter the country. - Correct:
It is necessary to have a visa to enter the country. - Reason: This error is extremely common for speakers of pro-drop languages (e.g., Spanish, Italian, Portuguese) where subject pronouns can be omitted if they are clear from context. In English, nearly every sentence requires an explicit subject, and in this structure,
itis non-negotiable.
- 1Confusing
ItandThere
- Incorrect:
There is important to be on time. - Correct:
It is important to be on time. - Reason:
Thereis an existential subject, used to state that something exists (There are three books on the table).Itis a placeholder for a clausal subject. A simple test is to ask what the subject refers to. In the correct sentence,itrefers to the actionto be on time.Therehas no such referent.
- 1Choosing the Incorrect Preposition:
forvs.of
- Incorrect:
It was very generous for him to donate so much. - Correct:
It was very generous of him to donate so much. - Reason: The choice of preposition depends on the adjective. Use
ofwhen the adjective describes the character or personality of the person (nice,kind,clever,stupid,brave,generous). Useforwhen the adjective describes the general situation or the action itself (easy,hard,important,possible,necessary).
- 1Incorrect Verb Agreement
- Incorrect:
It are wonderful that you can come. - Correct:
It is wonderful that you can come. - Reason: The grammatical subject of the main clause is
it, which is always third-person singular. The verb must agree withit, not with any nouns in the postponed subject clause. This mistake is less common but can occur when a learner is focused on the pluralyou.
Contrast With Similar Patterns
Real Conversations
This structure is ubiquitous in all forms of modern English, from casual digital communication to formal professional discourse. Its register is determined by the vocabulary used with it.
- In a Work Slack/Teams Channel:
Hi all, just a reminder it's important to submit your timesheets by 6pm.
- In a Text Message to a Friend:
omg it's so annoying that the train is delayed again
- During a University Seminar:
It seems to me that the author is deliberately ignoring the historical context. It's also worth noting that her earlier work shows a similar bias.
- Expressing Surprise or Frustration:
It's unbelievable how much a concert ticket costs these days!
- Polite Social Interaction:
It was so lovely to see you both at the party on Saturday.
- In a Formal Report:
It is therefore recommended that the current protocol be revised to improve efficiency.
Notice how the structure remains the same, but the context and word choice (lovely, unbelievable, recommended) shift the tone from informal to formal.
Quick FAQ
It is neither inherently formal nor informal; it is a fundamental grammatical structure used in all registers. The formality is determined by the vocabulary and context. It's awesome that you came is informal. It is imperative that all members are present is highly formal.
Yes. Verbs of perception or appearance are common, such as seem, appear, look, and feel. Verbs of occurrence like happen and turn out also work. For example: It appears that we are out of stock, or It turned out that he had been lying the whole time.
The rule is based on the adjective. If the adjective describes the personal character of the subject (kind, brave, silly, careless, thoughtful), use of. If the adjective describes the general quality of the action or situation (important, difficult, easy, possible), use for.
Their goals are different. Anticipatory it is for sentence balance; it moves a long subject to the end for better flow. An it-cleft is for emphasis; it highlights one specific part of the sentence to draw the listener's attention to it (e.g., It was Sarah who left, not Mark).
No, it is perfectly grammatical. This structure, where a to-infinitive clause is in the initial subject position, is a stylistic choice. However, it sounds more formal, proverbial, or philosophical. In everyday conversation, It is human to err would be far more common and natural.
Yes, but it is much less common and can sometimes sound slightly less natural than the infinitive. For example, It was nice talking to you is very common. However, with many other adjectives, the infinitive is preferred: It is important to be on time is more standard than It is important being on time. As a B2 learner, defaulting to the to-infinitive or that-clause is the safest and most versatile choice.
Common Placeholder 'It' Structures
| Structure Type | Formula | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Adjective + To-Infinitive
|
It + be + Adj + to-v
|
It is vital to listen.
|
|
Adjective + That-Clause
|
It + be + Adj + that + clause
|
It is true that she left.
|
|
Noun Phrase + To-Infinitive
|
It + be + Noun + to-v
|
It's a joy to work here.
|
|
Verb + It + Adj + To-Infinitive
|
Subj + Verb + it + Adj + to-v
|
I find it hard to focus.
|
|
Passive Reporting
|
It + be + Past Participle + that
|
It is said that he is rich.
|
|
Weather/Time/Distance
|
It + be + Noun/Adj
|
It is raining.
|
Contractions with Placeholder 'It'
| Full Form | Contraction | Usage |
|---|---|---|
|
It is
|
It's
|
Common in speech/informal writing
|
|
It was
|
N/A
|
Rarely contracted in writing
|
|
It will
|
It'll
|
Common in speech
|
|
It has
|
It's
|
Used in present perfect (It's been...)
|
Meanings
The use of the pronoun 'it' as a dummy subject or object when the real subject or object is a long clause or infinitive phrase, moving the 'heavy' information to the end of the sentence.
Anticipatory Subject
Replacing a subject clause (starting with 'to' or 'that') with 'it' at the start.
“It is unlikely that they will arrive on time.”
“It was a pleasure to meet you.”
Anticipatory Object
Using 'it' as a placeholder object before an adjective and a following clause.
“I find it difficult to talk to him.”
“She made it clear that she was unhappy.”
Passive Reporting
Using 'it' to report general beliefs or rumors without naming a specific person.
“It is said that the house is haunted.”
“It was reported that the company is closing.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
It + is + Adj + to-v
|
It is nice to meet you.
|
|
Negative
|
It + is not + Adj + to-v
|
It isn't easy to learn.
|
|
Question
|
Is + it + Adj + to-v?
|
Is it possible to stay?
|
|
With 'That'
|
It + is + Adj + that...
|
It is clear that he won.
|
|
Object Position
|
Verb + it + Adj + to-v
|
I find it odd to see him.
|
|
Passive
|
It + is + said + that...
|
It is said that she is 100.
|
|
Modal
|
It + might + be + Adj
|
It might be better to go.
|
Formality Spectrum
It was a pleasure to have met you. (Social interaction)
It was nice to meet you. (Social interaction)
It was great meeting you! (Social interaction)
It's been real. (Social interaction)
The Roles of Placeholder 'It'
Weather/Time
- It is raining Weather
- It is 5:00 Time
Anticipatory Subject
- It is fun to... To-Infinitive
- It is clear that... That-Clause
Anticipatory Object
- I find it hard to... With 'find'
- She made it clear that... With 'make'
It vs. There
Should I use 'It'?
Is the real subject a 'to-verb' or 'that-clause'?
Are you using 'find', 'think', or 'make'?
Common Adjectives with 'It'
Importance
- • Vital
- • Crucial
- • Important
Difficulty
- • Hard
- • Easy
- • Tough
Certainty
- • Clear
- • Obvious
- • True
Examples by Level
It is cold today.
It is nine o'clock.
It is nice to see you.
Is it far?
It is easy to use this app.
It is important to drink water.
It was fun to play the game.
It isn't healthy to eat too much sugar.
It is a pity that you missed the party.
It takes twenty minutes to get there.
It seems that the rain has stopped.
It is possible that he forgot.
I find it hard to believe his story.
It is widely believed that the economy will improve.
It makes it easier to work from home.
It doesn't matter whether you win or lose.
It is of the utmost importance that we remain calm.
It remains to be seen if the plan will work.
I would appreciate it if you could send the files.
It is no use trying to convince him.
It was with great reluctance that he accepted the position.
It is incumbent upon us to protect the environment.
It is not so much that I dislike him, as that I don't trust him.
It has been suggested that the data may be flawed.
Easily Confused
Learners use 'It' to show existence or 'There' to describe situations.
Learners use 'This' or 'That' as placeholders for clauses.
Thinking 'It' always refers to a noun.
Common Mistakes
Is cold today.
It is cold today.
Is 5 o'clock.
It is 5 o'clock.
That is nice to meet you.
It is nice to meet you.
Is far to the beach?
Is it far to the beach?
To swim is fun.
It is fun to swim.
It is fun swim.
It is fun to swim.
Is important study.
It is important to study.
I find difficult to sleep.
I find it difficult to sleep.
It is a pity for you to leave.
It is a pity that you are leaving.
It seems me that he is late.
It seems to me that he is late.
I would appreciate if you helped.
I would appreciate it if you helped.
It is no point in waiting.
There is no point in waiting. / It is no use waiting.
Sentence Patterns
It is ___ to ___.
I find it ___ to ___.
It is ___ that ___.
It is said that ___.
Real World Usage
It's fine if you can't make it!
I find it easy to adapt to new environments.
It is argued that the results are significant.
Is it possible to get this without onions?
It is requested that you have your passport ready.
It's so crazy that this happened!
The 'Heavy' Rule
Don't skip 'It'
Find it + Adj
Politeness
Smart Tips
Switch it to 'It is... to [verb]' to sound more like a native speaker immediately.
Remember the 'It' sandwich: Find + it + Adjective + To-Verb.
Use 'It is widely accepted that' instead of 'Everyone knows'.
Never say 'Is raining'. Always 'It is'.
Pronunciation
Linking 'It' and 'Is'
In natural speech, 'It' and 'is' are almost always contracted to 'It's' /ɪts/. If not contracted, the 't' in 'it' often becomes a 'flap t' (sounding like a soft 'd') when followed by 'is'.
Stress on the Adjective
It is IM-portant to go.
The placeholder 'it' and 'is' are unstressed; the focus is on the descriptive adjective.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
IT = Information Trailer. It pulls the heavy information behind it.
Visual Association
Imagine a small tugboat (the word 'It') pulling a massive cargo ship (the long 'that-clause'). The tugboat goes first to lead the way.
Rhyme
When the subject is a heavy load, put 'It' first to clear the road.
Story
Once there was a sentence that was so top-heavy it kept falling over. The king of Grammar sent a little soldier named 'It' to stand at the front and hold the balance while the heavy words moved to the back. Now the sentence stands perfectly straight.
Word Web
Challenge
Write 5 sentences about your hobbies using the pattern 'It is [adjective] to [hobby]'. Example: 'It is relaxing to paint.'
Cultural Notes
British speakers often use 'It is' in polite, slightly indirect ways to avoid sounding aggressive. For example, 'It's a bit cold in here, isn't it?' instead of 'Close the window.'
In Western academic writing, using 'It is believed' or 'It has been noted' is a way to show humility and objectivity, avoiding the 'I' voice.
In casual American speech, 'It' is often dropped in very informal settings, though it remains grammatically required. E.g., 'Sounds good' instead of 'It sounds good.'
The use of 'it' as a dummy subject dates back to Old English (hit), where it was used for weather and impersonal verbs.
Conversation Starters
Do you find it easy to wake up early?
Is it important to learn a second language?
It is said that travel broadens the mind. Do you agree?
Does it matter what people think of you?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
___ is very important to arrive on time for the meeting.
Find and fix the mistake:
I find difficult to learn Chinese.
Which sentence sounds most like a native speaker?
That he failed the test is surprising.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
You can use 'That' as a placeholder subject instead of 'It'.
A: Do you want to go hiking? B: No, ___ too hot outside.
Identify the placeholder 'It'.
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises___ is very important to arrive on time for the meeting.
Find and fix the mistake:
I find difficult to learn Chinese.
Which sentence sounds most like a native speaker?
That he failed the test is surprising.
1. It is raining... 2. It is said that... 3. I find it hard...
You can use 'That' as a placeholder subject instead of 'It'.
A: Do you want to go hiking? B: No, ___ too hot outside.
Identify the placeholder 'It'.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercises___ is amazing that she can speak five languages fluently.
Are difficult for him understand advanced concepts.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'Es importante escuchar a tus profesores.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the sentence fragments:
___ is a common misconception that all snakes are venomous.
It were a surprise to see her at the party.
Translate into English: 'Me parece que él no está en casa.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Which sentence is correct?
Match the phrases:
Score: /12
FAQ (8)
Yes, it is grammatically correct, but it sounds very formal or poetic. In 99% of situations, native speakers prefer `It is important to study`.
Use `There` to say something exists (`There is a bird`). Use `It` to describe a situation or a clause (`It is nice to see the bird`).
No, `It's` can also mean `It has` in the present perfect, like in `It's been a long time`.
In modern English, `It is me` is the standard, natural form. `It is I` is technically correct in old-fashioned grammar but sounds very strange today.
Yes, in informal speech, you can say `It's clear he's lying`. In formal writing, it's better to keep `that`.
No, a placeholder 'It' only stands for a clause (to-verb or that-clause). If it refers to a noun, it's a normal pronoun.
Yes, but `It is said that` is more formal and objective. It's used when you don't want to specify who is speaking.
The most common are `find`, `think`, `consider`, `make`, `feel`, and `believe`.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Null subject / Es...
Spanish omits the placeholder; English requires it.
Il est... / C'est...
French has two options (Il/Ce) depending on formality; English only uses 'It'.
Es ist...
The word order in the following clause differs (verb-final in German).
N/A
Japanese is 'bottom-heavy' (verb at end); English is 'top-light' (subject at start).
Damir al-sha'n
Arabic usually starts with the verb or a noun, not a dummy pronoun.
N/A
Chinese lacks a dummy subject and uses context to imply the subject.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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