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#2 (permalink) Mon Jul 07, 2008 13:52 pm Usage of It's: Who did that? - It's my brother. |
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For me, in 1 - My brother (did) would sound better. Or That was my brother (who did that). _________________ I am an incurable optimist. |
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Inga I'm here quite often ;-)

Joined: 21 Apr 2008 Posts: 255 Location: Minsk, Belarus
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#3 (permalink) Mon Jul 07, 2008 14:00 pm Usage of It's: Who did that? - It's my brother. |
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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. _________________ Thou shalt not use yours to make the whole world jealous. |
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SiCantikManis I'm here quite often ;-)

Joined: 17 Jun 2008 Posts: 241 Location: Zippon
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#4 (permalink) Mon Jul 07, 2008 14:56 pm Usage of It's: Who did that? - It's my brother. |
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| nessie wrote: |
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? No, not in your sentences. and should "that" be used instead? No, but I would not use the simple present tense in the response for question 1 -- it would be quite normal to say "It was my brother" or just "My brother". |
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Yankee I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 16 Apr 2006 Posts: 8265 Location: USA
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#5 (permalink) Mon Jul 07, 2008 15:14 pm Usage of It's: Who did that? - It's my brother. |
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(That - wrong?) It was my brother (who did that). _________________ I am an incurable optimist. |
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Inga I'm here quite often ;-)

Joined: 21 Apr 2008 Posts: 255 Location: Minsk, Belarus
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#6 (permalink) Mon Jul 07, 2008 15:34 pm Usage of It's: Who did that? - It's my brother. |
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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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Yankee I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 16 Apr 2006 Posts: 8265 Location: USA
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Nessie I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 16 Feb 2008 Posts: 1102
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#8 (permalink) Tue Jul 08, 2008 15:05 pm Usage of It's: Who did that? - It's my brother. |
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| nessie wrote: |
| Do you mean there are other cases where the use of "it" to refer to people is impolite? |
Of course there are. For example, the following would be impolite and/or just plain weird:
- Sally lives next door. *It is a teacher. . |
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Yankee I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 16 Apr 2006 Posts: 8265 Location: USA
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Nessie I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 16 Feb 2008 Posts: 1102
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#10 (permalink) Wed Jul 09, 2008 13:59 pm Usage of It's: Who did that? - It's my brother. |
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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. |
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SiCantikManis I'm here quite often ;-)

Joined: 17 Jun 2008 Posts: 241 Location: Zippon
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Nessie I'm a Communicator ;-)
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#12 (permalink) Wed Jul 09, 2008 14:39 pm Usage of It's: Who did that? - It's my brother. |
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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. |
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SiCantikManis I'm here quite often ;-)

Joined: 17 Jun 2008 Posts: 241 Location: Zippon
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#13 (permalink) Wed Jul 09, 2008 17:21 pm Usage of It's: Who did that? - It's my brother. |
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| nessie wrote: |
| Do you mean there are other cases where the use of "it" to refer to people is impolite? |
| nessie wrote: |
| it's too obvious |
Please accept my profuse apologies for writing something that was "too obvious" an answer for the question you asked.  . |
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Yankee I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 16 Apr 2006 Posts: 8265 Location: USA
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| Phrase "I'm only young" | Is it right to say "How about you?" |