Usage of It's: Who did that? - It's my brother.

[Nessie]

Hi,
What do you think about the use of "it" in these sentences? Is it wrong or impolite to use 'it' to refer to people? and should "that" be used instead?

1/ Who did that?
- It's my brother

2/ Who is that?
- It's my brother

Many thanks
Nessie.
_________________
:(... something we never have again, I know... I guess I really really know.. :(

Sorry seems to be the hardest word...

[Inga]

For me, in 1 - My brother (did) would sound better. Or That was my brother (who did that).
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I am an incurable optimist.

[SiCantikManis]

I think for the first one, it would be better not to use the contraction "It's", instead, use "It was". Or you can just say "My brother".

For the second one, I think "it's" is fine.
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Thou shalt not use yours to make the whole world jealous.

[Yankee]

[Inga]

(That - wrong?) It was my brother (who did that).
_________________
I am an incurable optimist.

[Yankee]

Hi Inga

No, using the word that is also possible. I was responding to Nessie's specific question. She wanted to know whether the word that "should be used" instead of the word it. It is not a problem to use the word it in the context Nessie gave.
.
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"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln

[Nessie]

Thanks a lot, everybody :)

[Yankee]

[Nessie]

Yea, that surely sounds very impolite, but it's too obvious, could you please give me another example?

Thank you in advance.
Nessie.
_________________
:(... something we never have again, I know... I guess I really really know.. :(

Sorry seems to be the hardest word...

[SiCantikManis]

Nessie, from TV I usually hear not so very expecting mother refers to the child inside her as "it". I find that disturbing. But some people are okay with it.
_________________
Thou shalt not use yours to make the whole world jealous.

[Nessie]

Thanks a lot, siCantikManis :)
By the way could you please tell me about your use of "not so very" (I wonder about the use of "so very" - usually I just hear people say "not very..." or "not so...", but I've never heard anyone say "not so very...") (except one time when Amy used it, I asked her but I've forgot the answer :P)

Many thanks in advance.
Nessie.
_________________
:(... something we never have again, I know... I guess I really really know.. :(

Sorry seems to be the hardest word...

[SiCantikManis]

I am not good at grammars, let alone at explaining it, but I'd try.

I think the use of "not so very" is not very grammatical in written English because maybe it sounds like you are saying "very" twice (not very very, weird right?), but I think in spoken English people say it to put more stress.

To some I guess it is redundant.

Maybe others can give better and correct explanation. :)
_________________
Thou shalt not use yours to make the whole world jealous.

[Yankee]