Reading Theme:
It Pronoun: Meaning, Uses, and Examples (3 meaning)
Meaning 1：the previously mentioned thing (it)
it
/ɪt/
pron.
A word used to talk about a thing or an object that was just mentioned, to avoid repeating its name.
the previously mentioned thing
➕
/ðə ˈpriːviəsli ˈmenʃənd θɪŋ/
pron.
A pronoun used to refer to a specific object, idea, or situation that has already been introduced in the conversation, avoiding repetition.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Old English 'hit', neuter third-person pronoun; 'h' dropped in Middle English.
💡 Mnemonic
Think of 'IT' as the 'thing' you just pointed to — short and direct.
📖 Example
I bought a new phone and it has a great camera.
I bought a new phone and it has a great camera.
🔗 Collocations
it is – it is
it seems – it appears
it appears – it becomes visible or clear
🔄 Synonyms
that (pron.) – Used to refer to a specific thing previously mentioned or known.
this (pron.) – Used to identify a specific thing close at hand or just mentioned.
the object (n.) – A tangible thing that is being referred to.
📖 Cultural Story
It comes from Old English 'hit', neuter form of 'he'. The dummy subject use (e.g., 'It is raining') emerged in Middle English as a grammatical placeholder.
Meaning 2：the young or unknown-gender creature (it)
it
/ɪt/
pron.
Used to refer to a baby or an animal when you don't know or don't need to mention its gender (whether it's male or female).
the young or unknown-gender creature
➕
/ðə jʌŋ ɔːr ˌʌnˈnəʊn-ˈdʒendə ˈkriːtʃə/
pron.
Used when referring to a baby or an animal whose gender is not known or does not need to be specified.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The puppy is so tiny; we need to feed it every few hours.
The puppy is so tiny; we need to feed it every few hours.
🔗 Collocations
feed it – provide food for the baby/animal
hold it – grasp or carry the baby/animal carefully
care for it – look after the baby/animal
🔄 Synonyms
the baby (n.) – A very young child or animal.
the little one (n.) – Affectionate term for a young child or animal.
the creature (n.) – An animal or living being, often of unknown gender.
Meaning 3：grammatical dummy subject (it)
it
/ɪt/
pron.
A grammatical helper. When the real subject of a sentence (like 'to study English') is long and awkward at the beginning, we use 'It' first, and put the real subject later to make the sentence flow better.
grammatical dummy subject
➕
/ɡrəˈmætɪkəl ˈdʌmi ˈsʌbdʒɪkt/
pron.
It functions as a placeholder subject when the real subject (e.g., an infinitive phrase or clause) is placed later in the sentence for better flow.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
It is important to study every day.
It is important to study every day.
🔗 Collocations
it is important – something holds significance
it is necessary – something is required
it takes – something requires (time, effort)
🔄 Synonyms
there (pron.) – Used as a dummy subject in existential clauses (e.g., 'There is a book').
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