which sentence is right?

Hi,

1.It was in 1988 when he was in middle school. No. You need to say It was 1988 when he was in middle school.

2.It was in 1988 that he was in middle school. OK.

Best wishes, Clive

I know that you are right Clive, but it also depends strongly on what follows, as this example;

It was in 1988 when he was in middle school that he........

Isn't that right or am I gettimg it mixed with some other things?

Jay

Yes, Jay, you're right. That is also a correct sentence.

Okay just wanted to be sure. Thanks a lot whoever you might be

Jay

Hi, Clive,

Sometimes, we can say "It was in 1998 when he was in middle school" according to the context, right? Look at this question:

—He was nearly drowned once.

—When was___?

—______was in 1998 when he was in middle school.
A. that; It B. this; This C. this; It D. that; This

Key:A (From a test paper)

Here "It" is diff

1. It was in1988 that he was in middle school.

I think a comma is missing between 1998 and when.