it

/it/

Thân thiện

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.

Học thuật

Noun

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

Từ đồng nghĩa

• information technology
• IT