One of the easiest ways to weaken a sentence is to begin it with “It was.” Writers use this structure constantly in early drafts because it feels natural while telling a story. Unfortunately, sentences that begin with “It was” often delay the real subject of the sentence and drain energy from the prose. Instead of presenting a clear image or action, the sentence introduces a vague placeholder.
Consider the difference.
It was strange for Pinocchio to see his nose growing longer every time he lied.
Pinocchio watched his nose grow longer with every lie.
Both sentences describe the same moment, but the second sentence delivers the image directly. The reader sees the action instead of being told that the situation “was strange.”
Why “It Was” Weakens Writing
Sentences beginning with “It was” usually create three problems. First, they hide the real subject. The sentence begins with a placeholder rather than the person, object, or action that actually matters. Second, they weaken the verb. The phrase was is a form of the verb to be, which often signals description rather than action. Third, they slow the sentence down. Readers must move past the empty opening before reaching the real meaning. When this structure appears occasionally, it’s not a problem. But when it appears repeatedly, the prose becomes sluggish and indirect.
How the Pattern Appears
This issue often shows up in sentences such as:
It was strange that…
It was obvious that…
It was difficult to…
It was surprising that…
It was clear that…
These phrases usually signal that the writer is explaining a situation rather than presenting it. For example:
It was obvious that Pinocchio had been lying.
Pinocchio’s growing nose exposed the lie.
The revision removes the explanation and replaces it with a concrete image.
Let the Real Subject Lead the Sentence
Strong sentences usually begin with the subject that matters most. Compare these two versions:
It was frightening for Pinocchio to realize he was turning into a donkey.
Pinocchio trembled as his ears stretched into long donkey ears.
The second version places the character and action at the front of the sentence, allowing the reader to experience the moment instead of hearing it summarized.
A Simple Editing Test
When revising your manuscript, search for the phrase “It was.” Then ask two questions:
- What is the real subject of this sentence?
- Can the sentence begin with that instead?
In many cases, rewriting the sentence so the subject leads will create clearer, stronger prose. “It was” sentences aren’t always wrong. But when they appear frequently, they signal that the writing is leaning on explanation rather than vivid description. Strong prose shows the reader the moment. It doesn’t hide it behind a placeholder.