Definition

1. Pronoun:

   • Third-person singular neuter pronoun: Used to refer to an inanimate object, an animal, a concept, a situation, or a previously mentioned or implied thing, idea, or action.
   • Impersonal subject: Used as a formal or dummy subject with verbs, especially to describe weather, time, distance, or general situations.
   • Anticipatory subject/object: Used to introduce a clause that is the real subject or object of the sentence, often followed by an infinitive phrase or a that-clause.

2. Noun:

   • (In children's games) The player who must chase or find others: The designated person in games like tag or hide-and-seek.
   • (Informal) Sex appeal, attractiveness: A quality of exciting appeal (often used in the phrase "to have it").

Examples of Usage

• Pronoun (referring to an object/animal):
  • I bought a book and read it in one day.
  • Look at that cat! It is sleeping in the sun.
• Pronoun (impersonal subject):
  • It is raining.
  • It is five o'clock.
  • It is ten miles to the next town.
• Pronoun (anticipatory subject):
  • It is important to tell the truth.
  • It seems that she is late again.
• Noun (in games):
  • You're it! Now you have to chase us.
• Noun (informal: attractiveness):
  • The actor still has it after all these years.

Advanced Usage

• "It" as an object referring to a following clause:
  • I find it hard to believe that he left. (Here, "it" stands for the clause "that he left".)
• "It" in cleft sentences for emphasis:
  • It was John who broke the window. (This structure emphasizes "John".)
• "It" in idiomatic expressions of state or condition:
  • How is it going? (How are you? / What is the situation?)
  • That's it! (That is the end / That is correct / That is enough.)

Variants and Related Words

• Its (possessive determiner): Belonging to or associated with a thing, animal, or child previously mentioned.
  • The company increased its profits.
• Itself (reflexive pronoun): Used when the object of a verb is the same as the subject, or for emphasis.
  • The cat washed itself.
  • The town itself is very small.

Synonyms

• That (pronoun): Can sometimes replace "it" when referring to a specific thing already identified.
  • I saw the car. That / It was expensive.
• This (pronoun): Can sometimes replace "it" when referring to something close or immediate.
  • What is this? / What is it?

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Go at it: To fight or argue vigorously.
  • The two boxers really went at it in the ring.
• Have what it takes: To possess the necessary qualities for success.
  • She has what it takes to be a great leader.
• Make it: To succeed; to arrive at a place.
  • After years of struggle, he finally made it as an actor.
  • The traffic is bad; I don't think I'll make it on time.

Related Idioms

• It's a deal!: An expression of agreement.
  • You help me today, and I'll help you tomorrow. It's a deal!
• It figures: That is logical or expected.
  • He failed the test? It figures; he never studied.
• It's up to someone: It is someone's responsibility or decision.
  • I can give you advice, but it's up to you to choose.
• Get with it: To become modern or aware; to hurry up.
  • That old software is obsolete; you need to get with it.

Noun

1. the branch of engineering that deals with the use of computers and telecommunications to retrieve and store and transmit information