What is it? Pronunciation and usage in English

Let's break down how to use "it" effectively in English. "It" is a hugely versatile pronoun, and understanding its different functions is key. Here's a breakdown, categorized for clarity:

1. As a Pronoun for Things (Most Common Use)

• Referring to objects: This is the most frequent use.

  • "I have a book. It is very interesting." (Referring to the book)
  • “The car is broken. It won't start.” (Referring to the car)
  • "Can you pass me the salt? It’s over there.” (Referring to the salt shaker)

• Referring to animals:

  • “My dog is sleeping. It looks comfortable.” (Referring to the dog)

• Referring to places:

  • “I’m going to the beach. It’s beautiful today.” (Referring to the beach)

2. As a Pronoun for Situations/Events

• Referring to circumstances:

  • "It’s raining. We should take an umbrella." (Referring to the rain)
  • “It’s getting late. We should go home.” (Referring to the time)

• Referring to general events:

  • “It happened last week.” (Referring to an unspecified event)
  • “It’s a good idea to study.” (Referring to the general act of studying)

3. As a Pronoun for Weather

• “It's hot today.”
• “It’s cold outside.”
• “It’s snowing!”

4. “It” + Verb (Often Used for Generalities/Descriptions)

This is a very common pattern and often feels almost like a placeholder. It's used to talk about something in general, without specifying what it is.

• "It is + adjective": Describing qualities.

  • “It is beautiful.” (Referring to something – a painting, a sunset, a view - the speaker doesn’t specify.)
  • “It is difficult.” (Describing a task or situation.)
  • “It is expensive.”

• "It is + verb + -ing": Describing ongoing actions.

  • “It is raining.” (Referring to the weather.)
  • “It is snowing.”
  • “It is getting darker.” (Referring to the decreasing light)

• "It is + verb + -ed": Describing completed actions.

  • “It was interesting.” (Referring to a past experience – without specifying what it was)
  • “It seemed strange.”

• "It's + Verb + -ing": Continuing an action.

  • “It’s beeping.” (Referring to a device making a noise)
  • “It’s blinking.”

5. “It” as a Dummy Pronoun (Formal/Literary English)

This is more formal and often used in written English, particularly in passive voice constructions. "It" doesn't refer to a specific noun.

• "The book was written by him. It is a fascinating story." (Here, “it” refers to ‘the book,’ but isn’t attached to a specific noun.)
• “The problem was solved. It has been resolved.”

Important Notes & Common Mistakes:

• Don't overuse "it." Sometimes rephrasing is better for clarity. Instead of "It's a nice day," you could say "The weather is nice."

• Be mindful of antecedent. When you use “it” referring to something specific, make sure the reader or listener knows exactly what you’re talking about. If it's unclear, rephrase.

• "It" vs. "This/That": Use “this” and “that” for things nearby or things you're about to mention. “It” is used for things further away or things you've already mentioned.

  • “This apple is delicious.” (Near the apple)
  • “I bought an apple. It is delicious.” (Apple is now further away – mentioned earlier)

Example Sentences Showing Variety:

• "I love my cat. It is so fluffy!"
• "The traffic was terrible. It caused a huge delay."
• "It’s important to be kind.”
• "Are you listening? It’s very important.”
• "He built a new house. It has a beautiful view.”

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

• What kind of English are you primarily interested in (e.g., conversational, academic, business)?
• Are there any specific situations or contexts you'd like to know more about (e.g., writing, speaking, etc.)?