- used to refer to an animal or a thing that has already been mentioned or that is being talked about now
- ‘Where's your car?’ ‘It's in the garage.’
- Did you see it?
- The other room has two beds in it.
- Look! It's going up that tree.
- We have $500. Will it be enough for a deposit?
Definitions on the go
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- used to refer to a baby, especially one whose sex is not known
- Her baby's due next month. She hopes it will be a boy.
- used to identify a person
- It's your mother on the phone.
- Hello, Peter, it's Mike here.
- Hi, it's me!
- Was it you who put these books on my desk?
- used in the position of the subject of a verb when you are talking about time, the date, distance, the weather, etc.
- It's ten past twelve.
- It's our anniversary.
- It's two miles to the beach.
- It's a long time since they left.
- It was raining this morning.
- It's quite warm at the moment.
- used to refer to a fact or situation that is already known or happening
- When the factory closes, it will mean 500 people losing their jobs.
- Yes, I was at home on Sunday. What about it? (= Why do you ask?)
- Stop it—you're hurting me!
- used in the position of the subject or object of a verb when the real subject or object is at the end of the sentence
- Does it matter what colour it is?
- It's impossible to get there in time.
- It's no use shouting.
- She finds it boring at home.
- It appears that the two leaders are holding secret talks.
- I find it strange that she doesn't want to go.
Language Bank impersonalimpersonalGiving opinions using impersonal language- It is vital that more is done to prevent the illegal trade in wild animals.
- (Compare: We have to do more to stop people trading wild animals illegally.)
- It is clear that more needs to be done to protect biodiversity.
- (Compare: We clearly need to do more to protect biodiversity.)
- It is unfortunate that the practice of keeping monkeys as pets still continues.
- (Compare: It’s absolutely terrible that people still keep monkeys as pets.)
- It is difficult for many people to understand the reasons why certain individuals choose to hunt animals for sport.
- (Compare: I can’t understand why anyone would want to kill animals for fun.)
- Unfortunately, it would seem that not enough is being done to support tiger conservation.
- (Compare: Governments aren’t doing enough to help tiger conservation.)
- There is no doubt that the greatest threat to polar bears comes from global warming.
- (Compare: I believe that the greatest threat…)
- used when you are talking about a situation
- If it's convenient I can come tomorrow.
- It's good to talk.
- I like it here.
- used to emphasize any part of a sentence
- It's Jim who's the clever one.
- It's Spain that they're going to, not Portugal.
- It was three weeks later that he heard the news.
- exactly what is needed
- In this business, either you've got it or you haven't.
Word OriginOld English hit, neuter of he, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch het.
Idioms
See it in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee it in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic Englishthat is it
- this/that is the important point, reason, etc.
- That's just it—I can't work when you're making so much noise.
- this/that is the end
- I'm afraid that's it—we've lost.
this is it
- the expected event is just going to happen
- Well, this is it! Wish me luck.
- this is the main point
- ‘You're doing too much.’ ‘Well, this is it. I can't cope with any more work.’
Check pronunciation:
it