Preparatory 'it' as object

• When a clause or a long infinitive phrase acts as the object of verbs like 'make', 'find', 'consider', 'owe', or 'take', we use the preparatory 'it' in the object position and move the heavy clause to the end. This prevents syntactic clumsiness and maintains natural sentence rhythm.
• Verb pattern
• Preparatory 'it'
• Object complement / Complement clause
• Example
• make + it + adj + that
• make
• it clear that we are leaving
• The mayor made it clear that Seattle would restore power.
• find + it + adj + to-inf
• find
• it hard to imagine a blackout
• Residents found it hard to believe the electricity was gone.
• consider + it + adj + to-inf
• consider
• it essential to keep stock
• Shopkeepers consider it vital to maintain reserve generators.
• take + it + for granted + that
• take
• it for granted that lights work
• Many people take it for granted that water flows endlessly.
• Remember
• Use preparatory 'it' directly after verbs like make, find, consider, owe, and take when the actual object is a to-infinitive or a that-clause.
• Place adjectives or prepositional phrases (like 'for granted' or 'clear') between the preparatory 'it' and the heavy clause.
• Do not omit 'it' in these structures; sentences like *'We found hard to believe'* are ungrammatical.
• Examples
• Allison made it clear that she appreciated the hot coffee in Seattle.
• Brian found it difficult to adjust after the power outage in Boston.
• We consider it crucial to have clean air and running water.
• She takes it for granted that electricity will never fail in London.
• Common mistakes
• We found impossible to live without electricity in Manchester.
• We found it impossible to live without electricity in Manchester.
• They made clear that the water was unsafe in Chicago.
• They made it clear that the water was unsafe in Chicago.

Complete the sentences

• During the outage in Austin, residents ___ (find + hard) ____ to cook without gas.
• The local council ___ (make + clear) ____ that repairs would take days.
• We must never ___ (take + for granted) ____ that clean water is guaranteed.
• Engineers ___ (consider + essential) ____ to inspect the grid in Chicago.
• I ___ (owe + debt) ____ to my family to be prepared.
• Citizens often ___ (find + easy) ____ to overlook basic daily privileges.

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