English Grammar Lab

← C1

Using it before a following clause

You will be able to Use it as an object before adjective, infinitive and that-clause complements.

Explanation

Some verbs require it as a forward-referring object before a later complement. Common patterns include find it difficult to, make it clear that, hate it when and owe it to someone to.

Examples

Detailed course

Understand the grammar point

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Detailed explanation

Forward-referring object it appears after certain verbs and points ahead to a following complement. In “Students find it helpful to plan their revision”, it occupies the object position required by find, while the infinitive clause explains what is helpful. The sentence is more natural than “Students find to plan their revision helpful”, especially when the complement is long.

A common frame is verb + it + adjective/noun + to-infinitive or that-clause: find it difficult to, consider it essential that, make it clear that, think it a mistake to. The adjective or noun describes the postponed complement. Another pattern is verb + it + when/if-clause, especially with reactions: I hate it when meetings start late; I appreciate it if you reply promptly.

Some idiomatic structures include owe it to someone to do something, take it for granted that, see to it that, and leave it to someone to decide. In these expressions, it is part of a fixed grammatical frame. The following clause or phrase supplies the specific content, while it allows the verb to have an immediate object.

Do not omit it where the verb frame requires an object. “The chair made clear that the deadline was final” is possible in some formal contexts, but “made it clear that” is the more common full pattern when clear functions as an object complement. Conversely, do not insert it after verbs that directly take a clause: We believe that the method works, not *We believe it that the method works*.

To edit the structure, identify the verb, the object it, the complement describing or reacting to it, and the postponed content. Then test whether the verb conventionally licenses that frame. Because several expressions are idiomatic, reliable examples are more useful than word-for-word translation.

How to form it

Common patterns include find/consider/make + it + adjective + to-infinitive or that-clause; appreciate/hate/like + it + when/if-clause; owe it to + person + to-infinitive; take it for granted that; see to it that; and leave it to + person + to-infinitive.

Forward-referring it fills an object position and points to content that appears later.

The verb and complement frame must be learned together.

Adjectives such as difficult, useful, clear and essential often describe the postponed clause.

Some emotional and interpersonal verbs use it before when- or if-clauses.

Do not add it after a verb that directly takes a that-clause unless the established pattern requires it.

Guided examples

Most students find it helpful to plan their revision in advance.

It fills the object position after find, helpful describes it, and the infinitive clause gives the real content.

The chair made it clear that the deadline would not change.

The that-clause explains what the chair made clear.

We consider it essential that all participants give informed consent.

It allows the evaluative adjective essential to precede the postponed that-clause.

I would appreciate it if you could confirm the figures today.

The polite request uses appreciate it if as a conventional frame.

The organisation owes it to its members to explain the decision.

The fixed pattern identifies the people to whom a duty is owed and the action required.

Please see to it that the confidential files are deleted.

See to it that means ensure that something happens.

Common mistakes

Not: Students find helpful to review their errors.

Use: Students find it helpful to review their errors.

Find requires an object before the adjective complement in this pattern.

Not: The manager made it clear the policy to change.

Use: The manager made it clear that the policy would change.

The postponed content should be expressed as a complete that-clause.

Not: We believe it that the method is reliable.

Use: We believe that the method is reliable.

Believe directly takes a that-clause and does not require forward-referring it in this structure.

Not: I would appreciate if you reply today.

Use: I would appreciate it if you replied today.

The conventional polite frame includes the object it before the if-clause.

Before you practise

  • Does the verb require an object in this pattern?
  • What later clause or infinitive supplies the content referred to by it?
  • Is the adjective or noun complement in the correct position?
  • Am I using a recognised fixed frame such as see to it that?
  • Have I avoided adding it after a verb that directly takes a clause?

Reading text

Introducing a New Research Ethics Procedure

About 237 words

A research institute introduced a new procedure for handling participant data. Senior managers considered it essential that every project document consent clearly. They also made it clear that informal verbal permission would no longer be sufficient for studies involving sensitive information.

Some researchers initially found it difficult to adapt their existing forms. The ethics team therefore created templates and short training sessions. Most staff found it helpful to see examples from real projects, especially when the examples showed how to explain data retention in plain language.

The institute asked project leaders to see to it that old consent forms were replaced before the next recruitment cycle. It also owed it to former participants to explain how previously collected data would be protected. A public notice described the changes and invited questions.

Several researchers said they would appreciate it if the ethics team could provide feedback within five working days. The team agreed, but it did not take it for granted that every application would be complete. Complex studies still required additional discussion.

After three months, managers judged the procedure to be successful. They found it encouraging that the number of incomplete applications had fallen. The final evaluation made it clear that the improvement resulted not only from stricter rules but also from practical support. By using forward-referring it, the report presented evaluations first and placed the detailed actions or clauses later, where they were easier to process.

Reading comprehension

  1. What did the new procedure require projects to document?

    Show answer

    It required every project to document informed consent clearly.

  2. What support did the ethics team provide?

    Show answer

    Templates, training sessions and examples from real projects.

  3. What feedback time did researchers request?

    Show answer

    They requested feedback within five working days.

  4. Why did incomplete applications fall?

    Show answer

    Because the institute combined clearer rules with practical support.

Grammar in the text

  1. considered it essential that every project document consent clearly

    It fills the object position, essential evaluates the postponed that-clause.

  2. found it difficult to adapt their existing forms

    The infinitive clause explains the activity judged difficult.

  3. see to it that old consent forms were replaced

    See to it that is a fixed expression meaning ensure.

  4. would appreciate it if the ethics team could provide feedback

    Appreciate it if introduces a polite request.

Listening practice

Watch a TEDx talk

“TED's secret to great public speaking” — Chris Anderson (TED). Listen for clear, natural English and pick up new vocabulary while you review this grammar point.

Check your understanding

According to Chris Anderson, what is the one underlying thing that all great talks have in common?

Check your understanding

What does Anderson warn speakers against doing on the TED stage?

Practice

Choose the best answer. Most researchers find ___ useful to organise the data chronologically.

Practice

Choose the best answer. The director made ___ clear that no further extension would be granted.

Practice

Choose the best answer. I hate ___ when software updates interrupt a presentation.

Written practice

Produce the answer yourself. Capitalisation and final punctuation do not affect validation, but the grammar and word order must be correct.

Sentence correction

Written practice

Correct the sentence.

The chair made clear that the deadline would not change.