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#2 (permalink) Sat Jul 10, 2010 14:48 pm that and it |
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Both sentences are OK in both instances. Basically. 'that' works and 'it' doesn't when the referent becomes more complex in concept (not necessarily in structure). _________________ Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's |
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Mister Micawber Language Coach
Joined: 17 Jul 2005 Posts: 13014
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#3 (permalink) Sat Jul 10, 2010 14:56 pm that and it |
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| Yoohemmi wrote: |
| Please tell me when the pronoun 'it' can refer to the whole preceding sentence or idea and when it cannot. In the following sets of sentences, which ones sound better and why? |
I take English lessons. I need money for that. (=taking English lessons) That's okay. "I need money for those." would be better.
I take English lessons. I need moeney for it. (=taking English lessons) That's incorrect because you mention lessons, which is plural. 'I need money for them,' would be okay.
She is pretty. She knows it. (=the fact she is pretty) She is pretty. She knows that. (=the fact she is pretty) Both are okay.
The one you use is down to preference and the wider context. _________________ Cheers m' dears! |
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Beeesneees Language Coach

Joined: 08 Apr 2010 Posts: 20433 Location: UK, born and bred
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#4 (permalink) Sat Jul 10, 2010 15:00 pm that and it |
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BN is grammatically correct with 'them' for English lessons, but notional concord easily overcomes that, and 'it' = taking English lessons is an easy step in comprehension for the reader to take. _________________ Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's |
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Mister Micawber Language Coach
Joined: 17 Jul 2005 Posts: 13014
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#5 (permalink) Sat Jul 10, 2010 15:02 pm that and it |
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I can live with that :) _________________ Cheers m' dears! |
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Beeesneees Language Coach

Joined: 08 Apr 2010 Posts: 20433 Location: UK, born and bred
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| This similarity is not just a coincidence: Scientists figured out that American | "paw at something" / "paw something" |