Anticipatory subject (in... ke)

The Anticipatory Subject: این ... که

In English, we often use the word "it" as a placeholder or "dummy" subject in sentences like "It is important that..." or "It is obvious that...". In Farsi, we use این (this/it) for the exact same purpose.

This structure allows you to state an opinion, necessity, or probability upfront, anticipating the main action that follows in a subordinate clause.

The pattern is built like this:

  • این (the dummy subject)
  • Adjective or Noun (e.g., important, reasonable)
  • Copula (usually است)
  • که (that)
  • Subordinate Clause

Because these sentences usually express a necessity, recommendation, or possibility rather than a completed fact, the verb inside the subordinate clause (after که) is most often in the subjunctive mood.

You can pair this pattern with almost any descriptive adjective to give step-by-step instructions, offer advice, or outline possibilities.