It proved that

Question

Hi teachers,"Her win was very inspiring, and it proved that great work will be rewarded," she says.  "That said, we still have a ways to go for more doors to open for women on every front.  Things still aren't where they should be for women, minorities, and other non-white males.  But it's looking up.1.  Does the "it" in "it proved" refer to "her win"?2.  What is "it's looking up", what is "it" looking up?Thank you.Tinanam

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

"Her win was very inspiring, and it proved that great work will be rewarded," she says. "That said, we still have a ways to go for more doors to open for women on every front. Things still aren't where they should be for women, minorities, and other non-white males. But it's looking up.

1. Does the "it" in "it proved" refer to "her win"? Yes

2. What is "it's looking up", what is "it" looking up?

Something is looking up is an idiomatic way of saying something iseems to be improving.

eg The weather was cold this morning, but now it is looking up. I can take off my sweater.

But it's looking up. = The employment equity situation for the groups mentioned seems to be improving.

Clive

Bar9on · Answer

but it's looking up = things seem to be getting better.

it, points to her win.

Tinanam0102 · Answer

Hi Clive,

Thanks again for your help.

Here's what I'm most confused. "Things still aren't where.......But it's looking up"

1. Shouldn't they're looking up?

In your example sentence: The weather was cold this morning, but now it is looking up. I can take off my sweater.

2. Does this "it" refer to "the weather"?

Thank you.

Tinanam

AlpheccaStars · Answer

tinanam0102"Her win was very inspiring, and it proved that great work will be rewarded," she says.

It refers to "her win."

tinanam0102But it's looking up.

It is called a "dummy it."

Here are some examples:

It is raining.

Trust me, it will be good.

It seems to me that it is cold in here.

It is 6 o'clock.

It's getting better all the time.

A dummy it is used where a subject is required, but does not have a specific antecedent.

English also has an "existential there" that functions as a placeholder subject rather than an adverb of place.

He lives there. (there = adverb of place)

There is a house in New Orleans. (there = placeholder for the subject of the sentence. )

Tinanam0102 · Answer

Hi AlpheccaStars,

Thank you for your examples regarding "dummy it".

Would "But things are looking up" be also be the same to "But it's looking up", albeit the latter one is the dummy it?

Thank you.

Tinanam

AlpheccaStars · Answer

tinanam0102Would "But things are looking up" be also be the same to "But it's looking up", albeit the latter one is the dummy it?

Yes.

It's looking up.

is an idiom meaning that the speaker is more optimistic about a favorable outcome. Perhaps in the middle of a game, the possibility of winning has improved.

The corresponding negative is:

It's not looking good.

Clive · Answer

Hi,

Here's what I'm most confused. "Things still aren't where.......But it's looking up"

1. Shouldn't they're looking up? You could certainly say that.

As I said, I interpret 'it' in the original to be a general reference by the writer to the whole situation already mentioned.

In your example sentence: The weather was cold this morning, but now it is looking up. I can take off my sweater.

2. Does this "it" refer to "the weather"? Yes.

Clive

Tinanam0102 · Answer

Hi Clive, hi AlpheccaStars,

Thank you for your help. It helps a lot.

Have a great day.

Tinanam

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