The "Dummy" Subject Rule

In many languages, if you want to say that rain is falling or that the time is 8:00 AM, you don't need a subject. You can just start with the verb.

English is different. Every complete sentence in English strictly requires a subject and a verb. When we talk about facts like time, weather, or distance, there is no real "doer" of the action. Who or what is doing the raining? Nothing! To fix this grammatical problem, English uses the pronoun it as a placeholder or "dummy" subject. It doesn't mean anything; it simply fills the empty space so the sentence is grammatically correct.

Time, Weather, and Distance

You must use it as the subject for three main categories of information:

1. Time (Clocks, days, dates, and seasons) When someone asks "What time is it?", the answer must start with it. Do not use this, that, or the time. ✅ It is almost midnight. ❌ This is almost midnight. ❌ The time it is almost midnight.

2. Weather and Temperature Use it with adjectives (sunny, cloudy, cold) or verbs (raining, snowing) that describe the weather. ✅ It is pouring rain outside. ❌ He is pouring rain outside. ✅ It is very cloudy and cold.

3. Distance When describing how far away something is, it is the standard subject. ✅ It is very far to the nearest pizza place. ❌ Here is very far to the nearest pizza place. ✅ It is only one mile away!

The "It is" vs. "There is" Trap

A very common mistake for B1-B2 learners is confusing it is with there is when talking about the weather.

Here is the rule: Use it is with adjectives and verbs (sunny, cloudy, raining, snowing). Use there is with nouns (sun, clouds, rain, snow).

✅ It is very windy today. (windy = adjective) ❌ There is very windy today.

✅ There is a strong wind today. (a strong wind = noun phrase) ❌ It is a strong wind today.

Dropping the Subject Completely

If your native language is Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, or another "pro-drop" language, your biggest temptation will be to drop the subject entirely. Because it doesn't translate to a meaningful word in your head, it feels natural to just leave it out. In English, this is always incorrect.

✅ It is only six o'clock! ❌ Is only six o'clock!

✅ It's a very short walk from here. ❌ Is a very short walk from here.

Always double-check your sentences. If you are talking about the time, the weather, or how far away something is, make sure the word it is sitting right at the front of your clause.