How to use it in English

The word "it" is one of the most frequently used pronouns in English, and mastering its various uses is essential for fluent communication.

1. Referring to Things and Objects

Use "it" to replace nouns that refer to objects, concepts, or non-living things:

• "Where is my phone? It was here a minute ago." (replacing 'phone')
• "This movie is great. It has amazing special effects." (replacing 'movie')
• "The weather is nice today. It makes me want to go outside." (replacing 'weather')

2. Referring to Animals

Use "it" when referring to animals, especially when their gender is unknown or irrelevant:

• "Look at that bird. It is singing beautifully."
• "The dog is barking. It wants to go for a walk."
• "I saw a cat in the garden. It was black and white."

3. Weather, Time, and Distance

Use "it" as a subject in sentences about weather, time, and distance:

• "It is sunny today." (weather)
• "It is 3 o'clock." (time)
• "It is 5 miles to the store." (distance)

4. Dummy Subject (Formal Subject)

Use "it" as a placeholder subject in sentences with infinitives or gerunds:

• "It is important to eat healthy food." (It = to eat healthy food)
• "It is difficult to learn a new language." (It = to learn a new language)
• "It was nice meeting you." (It = meeting you)

5. Referring to Situations or Ideas

Use "it" to refer to entire situations, concepts, or previously mentioned ideas:

• "John lost his job. It was unexpected." (referring to the situation)
• "She explained the problem, but it was confusing." (referring to the explanation)
• "Learning English is challenging, but it is worth it." (both referring to learning English)

Grammar Rules and Common Patterns

1. Subject Position: "It is raining."
2. Object Position: "I found it on the floor."
3. After Prepositions: "I'm thinking about it."
4. Possessive Form: "The car lost its wheel." (Note: no apostrophe)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Don't confuse "its" and "it's": "its" = possessive, "it's" = "it is"
2. Don't use "it" for people: Use "he" or "she" for people, not "it"
3. Be clear about reference: Make sure what "it" refers to is obvious from context
4. Avoid repetitive "it": Vary your sentence structure to avoid overusing "it"

Why Mastering "It" Matters

"It" is the 10th most common word in English and appears in almost every conversation. Understanding its various uses helps you speak more naturally, avoid repetition, and create smoother, more professional-sounding sentences in both casual and formal contexts.

Practice Tips

1. Identify the Reference: Always ask yourself what "it" refers to in each sentence.
2. Practice Different Uses: Create sentences using "it" for objects, weather, time, and situations.
3. Listen and Notice: Pay attention to how native speakers use "it" in movies, podcasts, and conversations.
4. Replace Nouns: Practice replacing repeated nouns with "it" to make your speech flow better.

Quick Recap

1. It replaces things, animals, situations, and ideas already mentioned.
2. Use "it" for weather, time, distance, and as a dummy subject.
3. Remember: "its" (possessive) vs "it's" (it is).
4. Never use "it" for people - use "he" or "she" instead.

Now you understand the essential uses of "it" in English! This small but mighty word will help you communicate more clearly and naturally. Keep practicing, and soon using "it" correctly will become second nature. Happy learning!