Confused between the use of 'it' and 'this'

Question

I usually get confused between the two, 'it' and 'this', both seems interchangable. e.g. "The credit for this goes to me.", "The credit for it goes to me.". Please guide me.

Jackson6612 · Accepted Answer

Help, please.

Clive · Answer

Hi,
I usually get confused between the two, 'it' and 'this', both seems interchangable. e.g. "The credit for this goes to me.", "The credit for it goes to me.".

Interesting question, Jackson.
Here's how I would begin my explanation in class.
I would try to demonstrate 'this', by pointing to something that is physically close to me. eg 'Look at this chair'.

I'd then explain that it can also be something that is said before but close to what I am currently saying.
eg My dog died. This makes me sad.

But not
eg My dog died. He was a good dog, and his name was Fido. I loved him very much. This makes me sad.
Instead,
My dog died. He was a good dog, and his name was Fido. I loved him very much. It makes me sad.

I'd then go on to offer a lot of other examples and more discussion.

Clive

Jackson6612 · Answer

Thanks a lot, Clive.

This is the grave of my dog which died last month. (this means the speaker is close to the grave)

It is the grave of my dog which died last month. (the speaker is a little far away)
Right?

Would it be wrong to use 'who' in place of "which" above? As I know 'who' is used for humans. Is this correct? Please guide me.

Clive · Answer

Hi,
This is the grave of my dog which died last month. (this means the speaker is close to the grave) Yes. Or close eg to a picture of it.

It is the grave of my dog which died last month. (the speaker is a little far away)
Right? Maybe, maybe not. We don't clearly know.

Would it be wrong to use 'who' in place of "which" above? As I know 'who' is used for humans. Is this correct? We often use 'who' for our pets.

Clive

Jackson6612 · Answer

CliveIt is the grave of my dog which died last month. (the speaker is a little far away)
Right? Maybe, maybe not. We don't clearly know.

In grammar terms, we do know this is the case. If not, then the speaker must be taught how to distinguish between the use of 'it' and 'this'.

Clive · Answer

Hi,

“It is the grave of my dog which died last month. (the speaker is a little far away)
Right? Maybe, maybe not. We don't clearly know.”

In grammar terms, we do know this is the case. No, we don't. 'It' is just a more neutral way of referring to something. It's "undemonstrative".
The use of 'this' shows that the speaker wants to be more demonstraive,. Think of him saying 'this' and mayvbe even pointing to the thing.

If not, then the speaker must be taught how to distinguish between the use of 'it' and 'this'. Yes, every English speaker needs to understand.

Please ask again if you are still unclear about this.

Clive

Jackson6612 · Answer

Thank you very much, Clive. I believe I understand the difference now.

Noinin · Answer

Hi. The word 'it' can be anything, but the word 'this' refers to something that you have infront of you or to something that you have on your person. It is used when you want to make an important point about the object of discussion. But they are also interchangable, it's just about learning when it is the right time to use it.

Jackson6612 · Answer

Thanks, Noinin. And welcome to the forums.

Jackson6612 · Answer

Noinin said:

The word 'it' can be anything, but the word 'this' refers to something that you have infront of you or to something that you have on your person. It (this) is used when you want to make an important point about the object of discussion.

Clive said:

My dog died. This makes me sad.

But not
eg My dog died. He was a good dog, and his name was Fido. I loved him very much. This makes me sad.

Instead,
My dog died. He was a good dog, and his name was Fido. I loved him very much. It makes me sad.

Hi, Clive,

If you really want to stress the point that the death of your dog really makes you sad, then I suppose according to Noinin's explanation the use of "this" won't be wrong. What do you say? I was reviewing the material so thought to clarify it. Please guide me. Thanks.

Best wishes,
Jackson

Confused between the use of 'it' and 'this'

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