Preparatory Object It

Learn how to use "it" as a placeholder object before longer ideas in formal sentences.

How to use this lesson

Grammar Rules & Patterns

When you use words like find, think, or consider, put the word it before the describing word and the action at the end. Keep it in the sentence always.

Put it right after make when adding words like possible, clear, or difficult before the action. You can also say make it clear that before a full idea.

Use take it that when you assume something is true, and see to it that when you promise to make something happen. Never drop the word it here, and use present time after see to it.

Use this pattern when you have a duty to help or respect someone. Say owe it to them to do something, not owe them to do it.

✅ Correct (Keep "it")

• "The new law makes it possible to build safer lamps."
• "We owe it to the city to reduce glare."

⚠️ Avoid (Missing "it")

• "The new law makes possible to build safer lamps."
• "We owe the city to reduce glare."

Which sentence uses the preparatory object pattern correctly?

Which sentence uses the preparatory object pattern correctly?

Which sentence uses the fixed phrase correctly?

Rewrite the sentence below by adding the one missing word "it" without changing any other words.

"Tourists consider breathtaking to see the night sky without urban glare."

Rewrite the sentence below by adding the one missing word "it" without changing any other words.

"The new lighting law makes possible to illuminate streets safely while protecting wildlife."

Rewrite the sentence below by adding the one missing word "it" without changing any other words.

"I take that you will turn off the decorative spotlight before midnight."

When visiting dark sky reserves, astronomers ____ photograph distant galaxies.

Dimming every residential lamppost will ____ preserve natural twilight conditions.

The park supervisor promised she would ____ every campsite floodlight is turned off by 10 PM.

Correct the error by typing the complete correct phrase for "owe to our community to":

Choose the corrected sentence for the message above:

Rewrite the sentence by adding the one missing word "it".

"We owe to future generations to keep our sky free from skyglow."