Non-Referential and Pleonastic 'it' (I take it you're leaving)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
The word 'it' often acts as a structural placeholder with no actual meaning, filling the mandatory subject or object slot in English sentences.
- Use 'it' for ambient conditions like weather or time (e.g., 'It is raining').
- Use 'it' to move long subject clauses to the end (e.g., 'It is clear that you are right').
- Use 'it' as a dummy object in specific idioms (e.g., 'I take it you're leaving').
Overview
English sentences always need a word at the start. Usually, this word is a person or thing. But sometimes we use the word it. This it is just a filler word.
Sometimes it has no meaning. We use it for the weather. For example, It is snowing. The word it is not a real thing here.
The word it can also point to a long idea. We put the long idea at the end. It helps the sentence start easily.
This makes your English sound natural. It is easy to understand. For example, It is good that you are here.
How This Grammar Works
- Weather and Environment:
It’s humid today.It gets dark early in winter. - Time, Dates, and Seasons:
It's almost four o'clock.It was Tuesday, so the gallery was closed. - Distance and Measurement:
It is 25 miles from here to the city center. - General Ambiance or Situation: In a noisy room, you might say,
It’s loud in here. - Impersonal Verbs: Certain verbs like
seem,appear,happen,turn out, andgo(in specific idioms) requireitas a subject in impersonal statements. For example,It seems you've already metorIt turns out he was right all along.
it:- 1Anticipatory Subject: The
itoccupies the subject position, while the true logical subject (athat-clause orto-infinitive phrase) is moved to the end. Compare the following:
- Without extraposition:
That the project was completed on time is a miracle. - With extraposition:
It is a miracle that the project was completed on time.
- 1Anticipatory Object:
Itcan also stand in for a direct object. Certain verbs, particularly those related to cognition and evaluation (find,consider,make,think,believe), takeitas a temporary object, anticipating a clause that follows. This prevents the awkward placement of a long clause directly after the verb.
- Without extraposition (awkward):
We consider that all members should attend the meeting essential. - With extraposition:
We consider it essential that all members should attend the meeting.
Formation Pattern
It + be + Time/Day/Date | It's noon. It was 1999. It's my birthday tomorrow. |
When To Use It
- For Clarity and Flow: The primary reason to use pleonastic
itis to manage information flow. By moving a heavy subject or object to the end, you present your main point first, making your sentence easier to parse. This is crucial in academic and professional writing.It has been argued by several scholars that this interpretation is flawedis much clearer thanThat this interpretation is flawed has been argued by several scholars.
- To Manage Formality: The passive construction
It is said/believed/reported that...is a cornerstone of formal, objective prose (e.g., news reporting, academic papers). It allows you to present information or common beliefs without citing a specific source or taking personal responsibility, creating a detached and authoritative tone.
- For Emphasis: Extraposition allows you to place emphasis on the evaluative adjective or noun that follows
it. InIt's incredible that she won, the primary focus is on the incredulity. The less naturalThat she won is incrediblegives equal weight to the event and the reaction.
- In Fixed Idiomatic Expressions:
Itis baked into a vast number of idioms you should use to sound natural. These are fixed and cannot be rephrased. I take it you're not joining us?(I assume...)That's it! I've had enough.(That is the final straw.)It's up to you.(The decision is yours.)It is what it is.(A fatalistic acceptance of a situation.)As luck would have it...(Coincidentally...)It goes without saying that...(It is obvious that...)
- Expressing Opinions Delicately: Using
I find it...orI consider it...can be a slightly more diplomatic way to state an opinion than a blunt declaration.I find it problematic that we haven't been consultedsounds more considered thanThe fact that we haven't been consulted is a problem.
Common Mistakes
- 1Omitting Dummy 'it': Speakers of null-subject languages often omit the required
itin impersonal constructions, producing ungrammatical sentences.
- Incorrect:
*Is cold today. - Correct:
It is cold today. - Incorrect:
*Seems that the train is late. - Correct:
It seems that the train is late.
- 1Omitting Anticipatory 'it' in Object Position: This is a very common C1/C2 error. The structure
Subject + Verb + Adjective + Clauseis often ungrammatical without the anticipatory objectit.
- Incorrect:
*I find difficult to solve this puzzle. - Correct:
I find it difficult to solve this puzzle. - Incorrect:
*This software makes easy to edit videos. - Correct:
This software makes it easy to edit videos.
- 1Redundant 'it' with an Explicit Subject (False Anticipation): Learners sometimes insert
itwhen a clear subject already exists, often in an attempt to use a familiar pattern.
- Incorrect:
*The report it is on your desk. - Correct:
The report is on your desk. - Incorrect:
*That she left early, it was surprising.(This is a common topicalization error.) - Correct:
It was surprising that she left early.ORThat she left early was surprising.
- 1Confusing Referential 'it' with Pleonastic 'it': Be clear about what
itrefers to. In the sentenceI bought a new cabinet, but I found it difficult to assemble,theitis referential (it = the cabinet). InI find it difficult to assemble cabinets,theitis pleonastic, referring forward to the act ofto assemble cabinets. The distinction is subtle but crucial for meaning.
Real Conversations
Notice how it functions in these natural, modern contexts.
Example 1
> Alex: Are we still on for tonight? It's supposed to rain later.
> Ben: Ah, that's a shame. It's probably better if we reschedule then.
> Alex: Agreed. It’s hard enough to get a reservation as it is.
Analysis
It's supposed to rain (dummy), that's a shame (referential, that = the fact it will rain), It's probably better (pleonastic, it = to reschedule), It's hard enough (pleonastic, it = to get a reservation).Example 2
> Subject: Quick Update on Project Nova
>
> Hi Team,
>
> It has come to my attention that there's been some confusion regarding the new workflow. I want to make it absolutely clear that all reports must be submitted via the portal. We consider it critical to maintain data integrity. Please make it a priority to familiarize yourselves with the new system.
Analysis
It has come to my attention (pleonastic, idiom), make it absolutely clear (pleonastic object), consider it critical (pleonastic object), make it a priority (pleonastic object).Example 3
> Maria: So, I take it you heard about Sam and Chloe?
> Leo: Heard about it? I saw the whole thing happen! It was crazy. At first, it seemed like a normal argument, but then it got really heated.
> Maria: Wow. It's always the quiet ones, isn't it?
Analysis
I take it (pleonastic, idiom), It was crazy (dummy, referring to the general situation), it seemed like (dummy), It's always the quiet ones (dummy, idiomatic observation), isn't it? (tag question referring to the previous statement).Quick FAQ
it?Dummy it has no meaning and refers to nothing (It's raining). Anticipatory it has a grammatical meaning—it points forward to a clause that appears later in the sentence (It's important that you listen).
Grammatically, yes (That the world is round is a fact). Stylistically, it's often a poor choice. It sounds formal, academic, and sometimes pretentious. In 99% of conversations and modern writing, It is a fact that the world is round is the natural choice.
it mean?This is a classic pleonastic it. The verb take here means 'assume' or 'understand'. The it functions as a placeholder for the object, which is the entire following clause: that you are leaving. The sentence means, "I assume [the fact] that you are leaving."
it in I like it when you visit pleonastic or referential?It's pleonastic. It serves as a placeholder object for the verb like, anticipating the real object, which is the clause when you visit. This structure is required for verbs like like, love, and hate when their object is a clause. You cannot say *I like when you visit.
It's me and not It is I?This is a fascinating intersection of grammar and usage. Prescriptive grammar of the 18th century argued for the nominative case (I) after the verb to be, hence It is I. However, natural English usage has overwhelmingly favored the accusative case (me) in this position for centuries. In modern English, It's me is standard and correct in all but the most hyper-formal or archaic contexts. The dummy it here refers to an unidentified person.
Common Dummy 'It' Patterns
| Function | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Weather/Time
|
It + is/was + Adj/Noun
|
It is sunny / It is noon.
|
|
Extraposition
|
It + is + Adj + to-infinitive
|
It is hard to say.
|
|
Extraposition
|
It + is + Adj + that-clause
|
It is true that he left.
|
|
Anticipatory Object
|
Verb + it + Adj + that-clause
|
I find it odd that he's here.
|
|
Cleft Sentence
|
It + is + Noun + relative clause
|
It was me who called.
|
|
Idiomatic
|
Verb + it
|
Cool it! / Leg it!
|
Contractions with Dummy 'It'
| Full Form | Contraction | Usage |
|---|---|---|
|
It is
|
It's
|
Very common in speech/informal writing.
|
|
It has
|
It's
|
Used in present perfect (It's been raining).
|
|
It will
|
It'll
|
Common in speech (It'll be fine).
|
|
It would
|
It'd
|
Common in speech (It'd be better to go).
|
Meanings
A non-referential 'it' is a pronoun that does not refer to any specific noun or entity. It exists solely to satisfy the English requirement that a sentence must have a formal subject or object.
Ambient or Prop 'It'
Used to describe weather, time, distance, or general atmosphere where no logical subject exists.
“It is freezing outside.”
“It is five miles to the nearest town.”
Extraposition (Anticipatory Subject)
Used to shift a heavy subject clause (starting with 'that' or 'to') to the end of the sentence for better flow.
“It is important to stay hydrated.”
“It surprised me that she didn't call.”
Anticipatory Object
Used as a placeholder object when the real object is a clause following an adjective or noun.
“I find it difficult to wake up early.”
“She made it clear that she was unhappy.”
Cleft Sentences (Focus 'It')
Used to emphasize a specific part of the sentence by bringing it to the front.
“It was John who broke the window.”
“It is your future that is at stake.”
Lexicalized/Idiomatic 'It'
Used in fixed expressions where 'it' has no meaning but is grammatically required by the verb.
“Cool it!”
“Leg it!”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
It + verb...
|
It seems okay.
|
|
Negative
|
It + auxiliary + not + verb...
|
It doesn't matter.
|
|
Question
|
Auxiliary + it + verb...?
|
Does it rain much here?
|
|
Short Answer
|
Yes, it does. / No, it doesn't.
|
Is it cold? Yes, it is.
|
|
With Modal
|
It + modal + verb...
|
It might snow later.
|
|
Passive Cleft
|
It + is + said/thought + that...
|
It is said that he is rich.
|
|
Object Placeholder
|
Subject + verb + it + adjective...
|
I made it clear.
|
Formality Spectrum
It is my understanding that you intend to resign. (Workplace/Social)
I take it you're leaving? (Workplace/Social)
So, you're off then? (Workplace/Social)
You're bailing, right? (Workplace/Social)
The Many Faces of Dummy 'It'
Environment
- Weather It is raining
- Time It is 5 PM
Structure
- Extraposition It is good to...
- Clefting It was him who...
Idioms
- Assumption I take it...
- Action Leg it!
It vs. There
Should I use 'It'?
Are you talking about weather/time?
Is the subject a long 'that' or 'to' clause?
Are you emphasizing a specific noun?
Examples by Level
It is raining.
It is ten o'clock.
It is cold.
Is it Monday?
It is far to the beach.
It is good to see you.
It's noisy in this restaurant.
It takes ten minutes to walk there.
It seems that we are lost.
It is important to finish your homework.
It doesn't matter what he thinks.
It was a dark and stormy night.
I find it strange that she hasn't called.
It was the rain that caused the accident.
She made it clear that she wanted to leave.
It is worth noting that prices have risen.
It is incumbent upon us to act now.
I take it you've already met my colleague?
It was only by chance that we met.
He's really lording it over the rest of the staff.
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.
I owe it to my mentor that I ever finished the project.
It remains to be seen whether the policy will succeed.
If you don't like the rules, you can just lump it.
Easily Confused
Learners try to find a noun that 'it' refers to even when it is just a placeholder.
Using 'this' to start a sentence that requires a dummy subject.
Using 'it' for existence.
Common Mistakes
Is raining.
It is raining.
Is 5 o'clock.
It is 5 o'clock.
Today is cold.
It is cold today.
Is nice to meet you.
It is nice to meet you.
Is far to the city.
It is far to the city.
Is no problem.
It is no problem.
Is important study.
It is important to study.
I find difficult to learn.
I find it difficult to learn.
Seems that he is late.
It seems that he is late.
Is a pity you can't come.
It is a pity that you can't come.
I take you are leaving.
I take it you are leaving.
He made clear his intentions.
He made it clear what his intentions were.
It was her who I saw.
It was she whom I saw.
Sentence Patterns
It is ___ to ___.
I find it ___ that ___.
It was ___ who ___.
It remains to be seen whether ___.
Real World Usage
It's all good!
I find it rewarding to work in teams.
It will be cloudy with a chance of rain.
It is hypothesized that the variables are linked.
It's a two-hour drive from here.
It's the way he just walks away for me.
The 'End-Weight' Rule
Don't use 'This'
Check your 'Finds'
Polite Softening
Smart Tips
Flip the sentence! Start with 'It is' and move the verb to the end.
Always check if you need a placeholder 'it' before your adjective.
Use a cleft sentence: 'It was [X] that [Y]'.
Never start with the verb. Always put 'It' first.
Pronunciation
Weak Form
In the phrase 'It is', the 'it' is often very short and the 'i' is a schwa-like sound /ɪt/.
Linking
When 'it' is followed by a vowel, the 't' often becomes a 'flap t' in American English (e.g., 'It is' sounds like 'Idiz').
Cleft Emphasis
It was JOHN who did it.
The stress falls on the noun after 'It was' to show emphasis.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
IT: 'Is There' no real subject? Then 'It' fills the spot!
Visual Association
Imagine a theater stage where the main actor is missing. A cardboard cutout labeled 'IT' stands in their place so the play can continue. It doesn't act, but it keeps the space filled.
Rhyme
When the subject is a ghost, 'It' is the one who hosts.
Story
A traveler arrives in a town where nobody has a name. When they ask about the weather, the locals say 'Is raining.' The traveler, an English teacher, hands them a badge that says 'IT' and tells them, 'In my country, we never leave a verb lonely.' Now, the townspeople always say 'It is raining,' and the 'IT' badge is passed around whenever a sentence feels empty.
Word Web
Challenge
Write 5 sentences about your day using 'it' in 5 different ways (weather, time, distance, opinion, and an idiom).
Cultural Notes
The idiom 'Leg it' is very common in the UK to mean 'run away quickly'.
The phrase 'It is what it is' became a massive cultural catchphrase in the 2000s to express resignation.
Using 'It is believed that' is a standard way to avoid using 'I' in research papers, maintaining a 'voice of God' objectivity.
Derived from Old English 'hit', which was the neuter third-person singular pronoun.
Conversation Starters
It's a bit chilly today, isn't it?
I find it hard to believe that summer is almost over. What about you?
It was only recently that I started learning English. When did you start?
I take it you've been to this city before?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
___ is very important to arrive on time for the interview.
Find and fix the mistake:
I find difficult to understand his accent.
Choose the correct option:
To learn a new language is exciting.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Sentence: 'I saw the movie and I liked it.'
A: Are you coming to the party? B: I ___ you're inviting me?
In the sentence 'It is 10 miles to London', 'it' refers to the road.
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises___ is very important to arrive on time for the interview.
Find and fix the mistake:
I find difficult to understand his accent.
Choose the correct option:
To learn a new language is exciting.
Match 'I take it' and 'Leg it'.
Sentence: 'I saw the movie and I liked it.'
A: Are you coming to the party? B: I ___ you're inviting me?
In the sentence 'It is 10 miles to London', 'it' refers to the road.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
11 exercises___ dawned on me that I had forgotten my passport.
She made clear that she wouldn't accept the offer.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Translate into English: 'Es una pena que no puedas venir a la fiesta.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the subjects with the correct form:
___ is understood that you will complete the assignment by Sunday.
Seems a good idea to discuss this further.
Choose the best option:
Translate into English: '¡Tómalo con calma!'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Score: /11
FAQ (8)
It comes from the Greek word for 'redundant.' In grammar, it refers to a word that doesn't add meaning but is necessary for the sentence structure to be correct.
Only if you are talking about existence. Use `there` for 'There is a bird' but `it` for 'It is a bird' (identification) or 'It is cold' (condition).
In modern English, yes. Traditionally, 'It is I' was considered correct, but 'It's me' is now the standard in all but the most formal contexts.
The verb 'take' in this sense (to assume) requires an object. Since the 'object' is the whole following clause, we use 'it' as a placeholder.
Sometimes, in very informal speech, people say 'Seems okay' instead of 'It seems okay,' but it is technically a fragment.
Yes, but it can be a 'referential pronoun' (pointing to a noun) or a 'dummy pronoun' (pointing to nothing).
A cleft sentence uses 'It is/was...' to focus on one part of the sentence, like 'It was Mary who won' (not John).
If your sentence has no clear subject (like weather) or if your subject is a long 'to' or 'that' clause, you probably need 'it'.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Null subject
Spanish omits the subject entirely where English requires 'it'.
Il / Ce
French has two dummy pronouns (il and ce) where English mostly uses 'it'.
Es
German 'es' functions almost identically to English 'it' in these contexts.
Null / Topic
Japanese lacks a dummy pronoun and focuses on the 'topic' of the sentence.
Null / Damir al-sha'n
Arabic does not require a placeholder for weather or time.
Null subject
Chinese sentences can be subjectless, unlike English.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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