The word 'it' is your go-to neutral pronoun for referring to anything that is not a specific person.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Used to replace a singular non-human noun.
- Functions as a neutral third-person subject or object.
- Essential for expressing time, weather, and general situations.
Overview
'It' is one of the most fundamental pronouns in the English language. It functions as a neutral, third-person singular pronoun, standing in for non-human entities. Unlike 'he' or 'she,' which carry gendered implications, 'it' is entirely gender-neutral, making it the standard choice for inanimate objects, animals (unless the gender is known and significant), and abstract ideas.
Usage Patterns
'It' primarily acts as a subject or an object in a sentence. For example, 'It is raining' uses 'it' as a dummy subject to describe weather. In 'I bought a book and read it,' 'it' functions as the direct object, referring back to the book. 'It' is also frequently used in cleft sentences to emphasize information, such as 'It was John who called,' where 'it' serves as a syntactic placeholder.
Common Contexts
You will encounter 'it' in almost every English conversation. It is essential for discussing the weather ('It is cold'), time ('It is five o'clock'), and distance ('It is far'). It is also used to refer to situations or events, as in 'It was a pleasure meeting you.' In formal writing, 'it' is used to maintain an objective tone by referring back to previously mentioned data or arguments.
Similar Words Comparison: 'It' is often compared to 'this' and 'that.' While 'it' is a simple pronoun used for reference, 'this' and 'that' are demonstrative pronouns. 'This' typically points to something close in space or time, while 'that' points to something further away. 'It' does not point; it simply substitutes. For instance, if you say 'I like this,' you are highlighting a specific item. If you say 'I like it,' you are simply referring to an item already known to the listener. Understanding this distinction helps learners improve their precision in communication.
Examples
I lost my key, but I found it in my bag.
everydayPerdi minha chave, mas a encontrei na minha bolsa.
It is required that all employees sign the form.
formalÉ exigido que todos os funcionários assinem o formulário.
It's a beautiful day, isn't it?
informalEstá um dia lindo, não está?
It has been demonstrated that exercise improves health.
academicFoi demonstrado que o exercício melhora a saúde.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
Go for it
Vá em frente
Forget it
Esqueça
It is what it is
É o que é
Often Confused With
'This' is used to introduce something new or point to something close. 'It' is used to refer back to something already known.
'That' often refers to something further away in distance or time. 'It' is neutral and does not imply distance.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The pronoun 'it' is used in all registers, from casual speech to formal academic writing. Its primary function is to maintain flow by avoiding the repetition of nouns. It is highly versatile and essential for natural-sounding English.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is using 'it' when the gender of a person is known, such as saying 'It is my brother' instead of 'He is my brother.' Another error is omitting 'it' in weather expressions, like saying 'Is raining' instead of 'It is raining.' Finally, confusing 'its' and 'it's' remains a frequent error even for native speakers.
Tips
Use it to avoid repetitive nouns
Instead of saying 'The car is fast because the car has a good engine,' say 'The car is fast because it has a good engine.' This makes your speech sound much more natural.
Don't confuse its and it's
Remember that 'its' is possessive, while 'it's' is a contraction for 'it is.' A simple test is to try replacing the word with 'it is'—if it doesn't make sense, use 'its'.
Gender neutrality in English
English is unique in its use of 'it' for inanimate objects. In many other languages, objects have grammatical gender, but in English, 'it' keeps things simple and neutral.
Word Origin
The word 'it' comes from the Old English 'hit,' which was the neuter form of the third-person pronoun. Over centuries, the initial 'h' was dropped to become the modern 'it.'
Cultural Context
In English culture, 'it' is used to maintain a sense of distance or objectivity. Because English is a language that avoids gendered nouns for objects, 'it' provides a clean, efficient way to categorize the world.
Memory Tip
Think of 'it' as a simple 'placeholder' button. Whenever you want to avoid repeating a noun, just press the 'it' button!
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsYes, you can use 'it' for animals, especially if their gender is unknown. However, many pet owners prefer using 'he' or 'she' to show affection.
A 'dummy it' is used when the subject is not a specific thing, such as in weather or time expressions. For example, 'It is sunny' doesn't refer to a specific object, but simply describes the state of the world.
No, 'it' is strictly singular. The plural form for things is 'they'.
The possessive form is 'its' (without an apostrophe). Do not confuse this with 'it's,' which is a contraction of 'it is' or 'it has'.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.
I saw a movie yesterday, and ___ was very funny.
The movie is a singular, inanimate object, so 'it' is the correct pronoun.
Select the correct usage.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Weather expressions require the dummy subject 'it'.
Rearrange the words to form a correct sentence.
the / it / box / is / inside
This follows standard Subject-Verb-Object word order.
🎉 Score: /3
Summary
The word 'it' is your go-to neutral pronoun for referring to anything that is not a specific person.
- Used to replace a singular non-human noun.
- Functions as a neutral third-person subject or object.
- Essential for expressing time, weather, and general situations.
Use it to avoid repetitive nouns
Instead of saying 'The car is fast because the car has a good engine,' say 'The car is fast because it has a good engine.' This makes your speech sound much more natural.
Don't confuse its and it's
Remember that 'its' is possessive, while 'it's' is a contraction for 'it is.' A simple test is to try replacing the word with 'it is'—if it doesn't make sense, use 'its'.
Gender neutrality in English
English is unique in its use of 'it' for inanimate objects. In many other languages, objects have grammatical gender, but in English, 'it' keeps things simple and neutral.
Examples
4 of 4I lost my key, but I found it in my bag.
Perdi minha chave, mas a encontrei na minha bolsa.
It is required that all employees sign the form.
É exigido que todos os funcionários assinem o formulário.
It's a beautiful day, isn't it?
Está um dia lindo, não está?
It has been demonstrated that exercise improves health.
Foi demonstrado que o exercício melhora a saúde.
Related Content
Learn it in Context
This Word in Other Languages
Related Phrases
Related Vocabulary
More general words
about
A1On the subject of; concerning something.
above
A2In a higher place than something or someone.
accident
A2An unfortunate event causing damage or injury.
action
A2The process of doing something, typically to achieve an aim.
after
A2Following in time or place; later than.
afterward
A2At a later or subsequent time.
again
A2Another time; once more.
aged
B1Of a specified age.
alive
A2Living, not dead.
all
A2The whole quantity or extent of something; every single one.
