English Grammar Lab

← C1

Moving heavy clauses with introductory it

You will be able to Use introductory it to postpone long clauses and control information flow.

Explanation

Introductory it occupies the subject position while a longer to-infinitive, -ing clause, that-clause or whether-clause appears later. This arrangement keeps the sentence easier to process and often supports an impersonal formal style.

Examples

Detailed course

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Detailed explanation

Introductory it, also called anticipatory it, occupies the subject position while a heavier clause appears later. Compare “To compare the two samples directly is difficult” with “It is difficult to compare the two samples directly.” Both are grammatical, but the second version follows the common English preference for a short subject and places the complex information later.

The postponed clause may be a to-infinitive, an -ing clause, a that-clause or a whether-clause. Typical patterns include It is essential to check the source; It was surprising that no one objected; It remains uncertain whether the policy will continue; It is no use repeating the same test. The adjective, noun or verb in the main clause expresses an evaluation, judgement or reaction.

Introductory it is common in formal and academic writing because it allows an impersonal stance. “It is important to distinguish correlation from causation” presents the evaluation without naming the evaluator. This can be useful, but it may also hide responsibility. When the source of the judgement matters, identify it: The ethics committee considered it essential to obtain consent.

Some patterns require a preposition before the logical subject: It was unusual for the meeting to end early. Others use a that-clause after a passive reporting expression: It was reported that the figures had been revised. Avoid confusing this structure with a personal passive such as The figures were reported to have been revised.

To check the construction, identify what it refers forward to. If the sentence remains meaningful when the later clause is moved to subject position, the it is probably introductory. Make sure the postponed clause is complete and that the evaluation logically applies to it. Do not insert it when an ordinary referential pronoun is required.

How to form it

Common frames are It + be + adjective + to-infinitive, It + be + adjective/noun + that-clause, It + linking verb + adjective + whether-clause, and It + be + no use/worth + -ing. A logical subject may be introduced by for: It is unusual for the process to take so long.

Use introductory it to postpone a long clause and keep the sentence easier to process.

The postponed clause can be infinitival, gerundial, declarative or interrogative.

The main clause often expresses an impersonal evaluation or reaction.

Name the evaluator when responsibility or evidence for the judgement matters.

Check that it points forward to a complete clause rather than replacing a previously mentioned noun.

Guided examples

It is difficult to compare the two samples directly.

The heavy infinitive clause is postponed, while it fills the grammatical subject position.

It became clear that the original figures were incomplete.

The that-clause contains the substantive finding and appears after the evaluative main clause.

It remains uncertain whether the policy will continue.

A whether-clause is postponed after an impersonal expression of uncertainty.

It was unusual for the committee to reach a decision so quickly.

For introduces the logical subject of the postponed infinitive clause.

It is no use repeating the test without changing the conditions.

The fixed pattern it is no use is followed by an -ing clause.

It was reported that several records had been lost.

The passive reporting pattern presents an attributed claim without foregrounding the reporter.

Common mistakes

Not: Is difficult to compare the two samples.

Use: It is difficult to compare the two samples.

English requires a grammatical subject; introductory it fills that position.

Not: It is important distinguish the two concepts.

Use: It is important to distinguish the two concepts.

The adjective pattern requires a to-infinitive.

Not: It remains uncertain if will the policy continue.

Use: It remains uncertain whether the policy will continue.

An embedded question uses statement word order, not inversion.

Not: It is no use to repeat the same test.

Use: It is no use repeating the same test.

The fixed expression it is no use is followed by an -ing form.

Before you practise

  • What later clause does it anticipate?
  • Is the postponed clause complete and in the correct form?
  • Does the adjective or noun select a to-infinitive, that-clause, whether-clause or -ing form?
  • Should the logical subject be introduced by for?
  • Would naming the evaluator make the claim more accountable?

Reading text

Reviewing an Automated Assessment System

About 234 words

A university piloted an automated system for marking short written assignments. It was important to evaluate the system before using it in high-stakes examinations. The review team therefore compared automated scores with marks awarded by experienced teachers.

At first, it appeared that the system was highly consistent. It produced similar scores when the same response was submitted more than once. However, it became clear that consistency did not guarantee fairness. The software sometimes penalised unusual but accurate phrasing, and it was difficult to determine why certain vocabulary choices affected the result.

It was particularly concerning that students who used regional varieties of English received slightly lower scores. The researchers considered it necessary to test a wider range of responses. It was unusual for the original development team to have included so few speakers from different linguistic backgrounds.

After further testing, it remained uncertain whether the system could evaluate reasoning as reliably as grammar. It was no use increasing the number of test scripts unless the scoring criteria were also revised. The team therefore recommended that human markers continue to review borderline cases.

In the final report, it was stated that automated marking could support teachers but should not replace professional judgement. The passive construction did not identify one individual author because the conclusion represented the whole review team. Elsewhere, however, the report named specific researchers when responsibility for an evaluation needed to be clear.

Reading comprehension

  1. What did the review team compare?

    Show answer

    It compared automated scores with marks awarded by experienced teachers.

  2. Why was consistency not enough?

    Show answer

    The system could be consistent while still treating some language varieties unfairly.

  3. What remained uncertain after further testing?

    Show answer

    Whether the system could evaluate reasoning as reliably as grammar.

  4. What role did the report recommend for human markers?

    Show answer

    They should continue to review borderline cases and exercise professional judgement.

Grammar in the text

  1. It was important to evaluate the system

    The infinitive clause is postponed after an evaluative adjective.

  2. it became clear that consistency did not guarantee fairness

    The that-clause carries the finding introduced by became clear.

  3. It was unusual for the original development team to have included so few speakers

    For introduces the logical subject of the perfect infinitive clause.

  4. It was no use increasing the number of test scripts

    The fixed expression it was no use takes an -ing clause.

Listening practice

Watch a TEDx talk

“How great leaders inspire action” — Simon Sinek (TEDxPugetSound). Listen for clear, natural English and pick up new vocabulary while you review this grammar point.

Check your understanding

According to Sinek's “Golden Circle,” what do truly inspiring leaders and organizations communicate first?

Check your understanding

Which example does Sinek use to contrast a team that succeeded because of a clear “why” against a much better-funded rival who failed?

Practice

Choose the best answer. ___ became clear that several records were missing.

Practice

Choose the best answer. ___ is difficult to compare the two studies directly.

Practice

Choose the best answer. ___ remains uncertain whether the proposed measure will be adopted.

Written practice

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

Grammar transformation

Written practice

Rewrite the sentence using introductory it.

That the figures were incomplete became clear.