Preparatory "It" as Object

• When a long clause or infinitive phrase acts as the direct object of verbs like make, find, consider, owe, or take, we frequently use preparatory "it" in the object position and push the heavy clause to the end of the sentence.
• Verb phrase
• Preparatory 'it'
• Object complement
• Extraposed object
• make
• it
• clear that
• the clinical team will prioritize safety
• find
• it
• hard to
• accept the consultant's sudden decision
• consider
• it
• essential to
• uphold the highest professional values
• owe
• it
• to
• our patients to remain fully transparent
• take
• it
• for granted that
• universal coverage covers such advanced drugs
• Remember
• Use preparatory 'it' directly after verbs such as make, find, consider, owe, and take when followed by an adjective or noun phrase and a that-clause or to-infinitive.
• Place the real object (the infinitive phrase or subordinate clause) after the complement.
• In formal medical and legal writing at the C1/C2 level, this structure avoids cumbersome syntax.
• Examples
• Dr. Vance made it clear that experimental immunotherapy carried substantial risks at St. Thomas' Hospital in London.
• The expert witness found it hard to justify the delayed neoadjuvant therapy during the public inquiry in Chicago.
• We consider it essential to protect our moral integrity despite fierce institutional pressures in Boston.
• Common mistakes
• Dr. Evans made clear that the trial would fail.
• Dr. Evans made it clear that the trial would fail.
• We consider essential to maintain fiduciary duty.
• We consider it essential to maintain fiduciary duty.

Complete the sentences

• The medical director made (make it clear that) ____ patient safety must never be compromised in London hospitals.
• Many senior physicians find (find it hard to) ____ accept futile treatment when resources are scarce.
• We consider (consider it essential to) ____ respect every patient's autonomy in Boston.
• Consultants owe (owe it to) ____ their patients to disclose all potential risks of surgery.
• The committee took (take it for granted that) ____ universal coverage would pay for the costly therapy.
• Professor Hayes made (make it clear that) ____ administrative delays harmed clinical outcomes at Johns Hopkins.

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