The words it and that can both be used as pronouns. A pronoun is a word used in place of a noun to avoid repetition and make sentences clearer. However, as pronouns, it and that serve different purposes.
It refers to something previously mentioned or easily identified, typically a thing or an animal. For example,
- The cat is hungry. It is mewing.
On the other hand, that is used to point to something more specific, often emphasising a particular object or idea such as
- I want that; I like that.
The key difference is that it refers to something already known, while that often introduces or highlight something specific.
Note that the word that also functions in other word classes such as a conjunction or a determiner. For more on the functions of the word that, please read the linked article.
Examples of it and that
- It – is used for a specific noun
- That – is used for a noun or noun phrase from a previous statement
Because it and that emphasise different things means that they can sometimes both be used in a sentence, but the meaning changes slightly:
- The race was incredible. I can’t believe it (= the race) happened so quickly.
- Yes, it (= the race) was amazing. The driver crashed his car into the wall.
- Yes, I can’t believe that (the fact that the driver crashed his car into the wall) happened.
- I can’t believe the teacher lied. It (lying) is not honest.
- I can’t believe the teacher lied. That (the fact that the teacher lied) is not honest.
- The book on the table is very old. I think it (the book) might be valuable.
- The book on the table is very old. I think that (the fact that the book on the table is very old) might be valuable.
- I don’t like this movie. Can we change it (the movie)?
- I don’t like this movie. Can we change that (the fact that I don’t like the film)?
- The concert was amazing. I really enjoyed it (the concert).
- The concert was long. I really appreciated that (the fact that it was a long concert).
- I read about the new policy. Is it (the policy) going to affect us?
- I read about the new policy. Is that (the new policy that I read about) going to affect us?
- The new software is easy to use. I’m impressed with it (the new software).
- The new software is easy to use. I’m impressed with that (the fact that the new software is easy to use).
Explanations of it and that
- The table is in the living room. It is red.
Explanation: in this sentence, it refers to “the table” mentioned in the previous sentence. It is used to provide additional information about the table’s colour, which is directly related to the table itself, without unnecessarily repeating the same noun.
- The table is in the living room. Apart from that, there is also a chair.
Explanation: in this case, that refers to the situation described in the first sentence (“The table is in the living room”). The phrase “Apart from that” introduces a new piece of information (the presence of a chair) that is separate from what was previously mentioned.
Here, as seen in the previous examples, that serves to link back to the previous statement and then transition to a new point.
- The house has a bedroom. It is pretty.
Explanation: similar to the first example, it here refers to “the bedroom” mentioned earlier. “It” is used to describe the quality of the bedroom, directly relating to the subject of the previous sentence.
- The house has a bedroom. In addition to that it has a kitchen.
Explanation: here, that refers to the information about the house having a bedroom. The phrase “In addition to that” is used to introduce another piece of information beyond what was mentioned previously. That helps to connect the new information to the context provided in the earlier sentence.
It
The word it is used to refer to a specific noun mentioned twice and to provide additional details about it. The word it always functions as a pronoun and serves to avoid unattractive repetition within a sentence or a paragraph:
The table in the centre of the room is large and made of dark wood. Around the table, friends are gathered for dinner tonight. The table’s surface is smooth, reflecting the soft light of the candles placed at the table’s corners.
vs
The table in the centre of the room is large and made of dark wood. Around it, friends are gathered for dinner tonight. Its surface is smooth, reflecting the soft light of the candles placed at its corners.
or
You mentioned you have a new job. Is the job challenging?
vs
You mentioned you have a new job. Is it challenging?
That
That is used to refer to a previous statement or situation and to introduce additional, often separate, information or to transition to a new point.
- That was a beautiful day, the day we got married.
- You mentioned you have a new job. Is that challenging? (is having a new job challenging?)
Here are a couple of sentences in which the use of that as a pronoun improves the flow:
He told her that she was ugly. She couldn’t believe he said that she was ugly; it was so unexpected. The comment on her appearance was what she had been anticipating all week.
vs
He told her that she was ugly. She couldn’t believe he said that; it was so unexpected. That was what she had been anticipating all week.
More detail on the uses of the word that.
Conclusion
In essence, it directly refers to something specific mentioned earlier, while that is used to reference the content of previous statements or contexts, especially when introducing new or additional information.
Exercises to practise
Please enter any comments or questions below.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Burton-Roberts, Noel. Analysing Sentences: An Introduction to English Syntax, 4th edn (Routledge, 2016)
Crystal, David. The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language, 3rd edn (Cambridge University Press, 2019)
Dreyer, Benjamin. Dreyer’s English: An Utterly Correct Guide to Clarity and Style (Penguin Random House, 2020)
Gwynne, N. M. Gwynne’s Grammar: The Ultimate Introduction to Grammar and the Writing of Good English (Ebury Press/Random House, 2013)
Hewings, Martin, and others. Cambridge English Grammar and Vocabulary for Advanced (Cambridge University Press, 2015)
Huddleston, Rodney, and others. The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language (Cambridge University Press, 2002)
Parrott, Martin. Grammar for English Language Teachers, 2nd edn (Cambridge University Press, 2011)
Quirk, Randolph, and others. A Comprehensive Grammar of the English Language, reprint edn (Pearson, 2011)
New Hart’s Rules: The Handbook of Style for Writers and Editors (Oxford University Press, 2005)