[Grammar] Using or omitting 'it'

[cookie201]

Hello,

I wanted to ask about the usage of 'it' in a very particular sentence structure. I am not exactly sure which one of the following is correct. The sentences are:

"I assumed that by 'rent' was meant that..."

or

"I assumed that by 'rent' it was meant that..."

Thank you for reading my message.

 

[teechar]

Can you provide a full sentence please?

 

[cookie201]

Thank you for replying. Of course:

"I assumed that by 'rent' was meant that I would pay to use the room, not that I would receive an amount each month."

vs.

"I assumed that by 'rent' it was meant that I would pay to use the room, not that I would receive an amount each month."

 

[Skrej]

With this particular sentence structure, the 'it' is critical. Without 'it', the sentence isn't grammatical.

You could also restructure the sentence a bit and eliminate the preposition 'by'. You would then have to eliminate 'it'.

"I assumed that 'rent' meant that I would pay to use the room, not that I would receive an amount each month."