The word “it” at the beginning of a sentence or clause signals you can probably delete words. Down the road, you will always see a “that”; it is part of the pattern. Some judges call this “throat clearing.” Unless the “it” refers to something, like a contract, you can either delete all of the words from “it” through “that,” delete some of those words, or replace those words with one or two words:

It should be noted that This did not prevent Harbaugh from compensating Collins directly for commissions earned on Sprint.

It was Not until after the war did that I learned learn who it was that had knocked.

It was this second characteristic that enabled radio to create the “mass audience.”

It is essential that Plaintiff must plead facts that show wrongful conduct.

I had a couple of bad situations over the course of a year, and it dawned on me that I realized I didn’t have to be in Los Angeles anymore.

You will know what to do when you allow your eye to be drawn to the word “it.”